Central estrogen-like effect of genistein on growth hormone secretion in the ewe

• Authors: T. Misztal , M. Wankowska , K. Gorski , K. Romanowicz
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The present study tested a hypothesis, whether plant-derived genistein influences the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in ewes, acting directly within the central nervous system (CNS). Starting six weeks after ovariectomy, ewes were infused intracerebroventricularly with genistein (n = 5) or 17beta-estradiol (n = 5), both in a total dose of 40 microg/400 microl/4 h, or with a vehicle (control, n = 5). All infusions were performed from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and blood samples were collected from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at 10-min intervals. Five genistein- and three vehicle-infused ewes were slaughtered the following morning. The plasma GH concentration was assayed by the radioimmunoassay method, and immunoreactivity of GH in the adenohypophysis was determined by immunohistochemistry. In genistein-infused ewes, mean plasma GH concentration was significantly higher during the whole period of infusion than the concomitant concentration in vehicle-infused ewes. However, examining data within group, GH secretion rose gradually, reaching a significant value during the second phase of genistein infusion. In 17beta-estradiol-infused animals, a significant increase in GH concentration was noted during the first two hours of the infusion, in comparison with vehicle-infused and also in comparison with genistein-infused ewes. Although a gradual increase in basic GH secretion continued in all treated groups during the afternoon and evening, mean plasma GH concentrations in genistein- and 17beta-estradiol-infused ewes were still significantly higher than in the vehicle-infused. The percentage of GH-positive cells in the adenohypophysis and the density of immunoreactive material in these cells decreased significantly in genistein-infused ewes, compared to the control, indicating diminished hormone storage. In conclusion, genistein as 17beta-estradiol, is an effective stimulator of GH secretion in ewes and may exert its effect at the level of the CNS.

Keywords

EN

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM; ESTRADIOL; GENISTEIN; GROWTH HORMONE; SHEEP; SOMATOTROPE

Discipline

• EXPERIMENTAL_BIOLOGY_&_MEDICINE: EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY & MEDICINE

• Publisher: Marceli Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
• Year: 2007
• Volume: 67
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 411-419

Contributors

author

T. Misztal

author

M. Wankowska

author

K. Gorski

author

K. Romanowicz

• Document Type: ARTICLE
• Publication order reference: T. Misztal, Department of Endocrinology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Instytucka St., 05-110 Jablonna n/Warsaw, Poland