Aline Andres1, Mary B Moore2, Leann E Linam2, Patrick H Casey3, Mario A Cleves1, Thomas M Badger4. 1. Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR; and Departments of Pediatrics and. 2. Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. 3. Departments of Pediatrics and. 4. Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR; and Departments of Pediatrics and badgerthomasm@uams.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Literature reports suggest that phytochemicals, such as isoflavones found in soybeans, impair reproductive function in animals and raise the possibility that consuming soy infant formula could alter hormonally sensitive organ development in children. OBJECTIVE: This study compared reproductive organs volumes and structural characteristics in children at age 5 y who were enrolled in the Beginnings study long-term cohort. METHODS: Breast bud, uterus, ovaries, prostate, and testes volumes and characteristics were assessed by ultrasonography in 101 children (50 boys and 51 girls) aged 5 y who were breastfed (n = 35) or fed cow-milk formula (n = 32) or soy formula (n = 34) as infants. Analyses were adjusted for race, gestational age, and birth weight. RESULTS: Among girls, no significant differences were found in breast bud, ovarian, or uterine volumes; counts of ovaries with cysts; ovarian cysts numbers; ovarian cyst size; and uterine shape between the diet groups. Among boys, no significant differences were found in breast bud, testes, or prostate volumes or structural characteristics between the diet groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, no early infant feeding effects were found on reproductive organs volumes and structural characteristics in children age 5 y. The follow-up of these children through puberty is planned and should help delineate potential early infant feeding effect on reproductive function later in life.
BACKGROUND: Literature reports suggest that phytochemicals, such as isoflavones found in soybeans, impair reproductive function in animals and raise the possibility that consuming soy infant formula could alter hormonally sensitive organ development in children. OBJECTIVE: This study compared reproductive organs volumes and structural characteristics in children at age 5 y who were enrolled in the Beginnings study long-term cohort. METHODS: Breast bud, uterus, ovaries, prostate, and testes volumes and characteristics were assessed by ultrasonography in 101 children (50 boys and 51 girls) aged 5 y who were breastfed (n = 35) or fed cow-milk formula (n = 32) or soy formula (n = 34) as infants. Analyses were adjusted for race, gestational age, and birth weight. RESULTS: Among girls, no significant differences were found in breast bud, ovarian, or uterine volumes; counts of ovaries with cysts; ovarian cysts numbers; ovarian cyst size; and uterine shape between the diet groups. Among boys, no significant differences were found in breast bud, testes, or prostate volumes or structural characteristics between the diet groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, no early infant feeding effects were found on reproductive organs volumes and structural characteristics in children age 5 y. The follow-up of these children through puberty is planned and should help delineate potential early infant feeding effect on reproductive function later in life.
Authors: Martin Jj Ronis; Horacio Gomez-Acevedo; Kartik Shankar; Neha Sharma; Michael Blackburn; Rohit Singhal; Kelly E Mercer; Thomas M Badger Journal: Exp Biol Med (Maywood) Date: 2018-05
Authors: Shuk-Mei Ho; Ana Cheong; Margaret A Adgent; Jennifer Veevers; Alisa A Suen; Neville N C Tam; Yuet-Kin Leung; Wendy N Jefferson; Carmen J Williams Journal: Reprod Toxicol Date: 2016-07-12 Impact factor: 3.143