The estrogenic activity of certain phytoestrogens in the siberian sturgeon Acipenser baeri

• Published in: The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 293 - 299
• Main Authors: Pelissero, C., Bennetau, B., Babin, P., Le Menn, F., Dunogues, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.1991; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chromans - chemistry; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Coumestrol - chemistry; Equol; Estrogens - chemistry; Estrogens - metabolism; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Fishes; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Genistein; Isoflavones - chemistry; Liver - metabolism; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Other biological molecules; Phytoestrogens; Plant Preparations; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Terpenes, steroids. Hormones; Vitellogenins - analysis; Vitellogenins - biosynthesis; Vertebrata; Molecular structure; Digestive system; Secretion; Liver; Phytosterol; Pisces; Estrogen; Sex steroid hormone; Vitellogenin; Estradiol; Biological activity
• ISSN: 0960-0760; 1879-1220
• DOI: 10.1016/0960-0760(91)90100-J

Various phytoestrogens such as formononetin, daidzein, genistein and equol were synthesized. Their purity was assessed by various analytical techniques including melting point determination, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), infra-red spectra (i.r. spectra), nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1H- and 13C-NMR) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The estrogenic activity of these compounds, as well as biochanin A and coumestrol, was biologically tested by the induction of vitellogenin secretion in yearling sturgeon and compared to the activity of estradiol-17β. Pure daidzein, biochanin A, genistein, equol and coumestrol all had estrogenic activity as assessed by their induction of hepatic synthesis of vitellogenin when administrated intraperitoneally to yearling Siberian sturgeon. Coumestrol seemed to be the most potent compound, inducing the most vitellogenin secretion with the lowest dose administered. Formononetin was inactive when administered by the intraperitoneal route. All the phytoestrogens tested were considerably less potent than estradiol-17β.