Multigenerational exposure to phytosterols in the mouse.

Due to beneficial health effects phytosterols (PS) are increasingly added to functional foods. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chronic effects of a dietary PS mixture (5mg/kg/day), containing mainly beta-sitosterol, on the reproduction of the mouse. General reproductive parameters, postnatal development, growth and survival of pups, weight of sex organs, the concentrations of plasma sex steroids and testicular testosterone were monitored across five generations (F(0)-F(4)). PS exposure increased the plasma levels of testosterone and decreased the relative uterine weights in the pups of F(2) and F(4) generations. Furthermore, PS exposure increased the concentrations of plasma estradiol in the female pups of F(3) generation. PS supplement also increased the testicular levels of testosterone in the male pups of F(2) generation. In spite of these transitory changes, PS exposure caused no permanent deleterious effects on the reproduction of the mouse.