Some physiological and histological effects of genistein in female albino rat

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of oral administration of genistein on hematological (total count of red blood cells RBCs, white blood Cells WBCs, and packed cell volume PCV) , hormonal (follicle stimulating hormone FSH, luteinizing hormone LH and estrogen E) and histological changes in liver and kidney of female rat. Twelve mature female albino rat 10-12 weeks in age, weighting 200-250 g were divided randomly to two groups (6 animals /group). The group was control treated with 1:4 DMSO only and second as the experimental group and received 100 mg genistein/1kg body weight/day dissolved in 1:4 dimethysulfoxid DMSO for 16 days. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected by heart puncture, then animals were sacrificed and the liver with kidneys was harvested for light microscopy study. The results showed decreased p≤0.05 RBC count and PCV, whereas WBC count was increased p≤0.05 in genistein treated group in compared with control grouped. Estradiol level was significantly increased p≤0.05 while LH showed significant decrease p≤0.05 in serum of females due to genistein administration. Female rats exposed to high dose of genistein have no obvious histological changes in liver and kidneys. In conclusion, the daily genistein administration caused severe untoward effects on blood and reproductive hormones like other exogenous estrogen analogues.