Kanya Anukulthanakorn1,2, Sukanya Jareonporn2, Suchinda Malaivijitnond2. 1. Biological Sciences Program, Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University 10330 Bangkok Thailand. 2. Primate Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University 254 Phayathai Road 10330 Bangkok Thailand.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We compared three in vivo assays, determining changes of body weight, and uterotropic and vaginal cytology assays, for the evaluation of estrogenic activity of an estrogen disrupting compound, Pueraria mirifica (PM), in comparison with 17β-estradiol (E). METHODS: Female rats were ovariectomized and gavaged with distilled water, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 20 mg/kg BW/day of E and 100 and 1,000 mg/kg BW/day of PM for 14 days. Body weights were measured weekly, and vaginal epithelium cells were monitored daily. The uterus was dissected at the end of the treatment period, weighed and examined for histomorphometry. RESULTS: There were a decrease in body weight and an increase in uterine weight, uterine, endometrium and myometrium areas, uterine gland numbers, and percent of cornified cell which were dependent on doses of E and PM treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Of the three assays proposed, although all are reliable and had critical read-out, measurements of body and uterine weights is likely convenient and simple, but the uterotropic assay needs to kill the animals. Vaginal cytology assay appears most promising for sensitivity and shortening the duration of the assay. Compared to those of E, the estrogenic activity of PM at concentrations of 100 and 1,000 mg/kg BW was in the range of 14 to >20 mg/kg BW.
PURPOSE: We compared three in vivo assays, determining changes of body weight, and uterotropic and vaginal cytology assays, for the evaluation of estrogenic activity of an estrogen disrupting compound, Pueraria mirifica (PM), in comparison with 17β-estradiol (E). METHODS: Female rats were ovariectomized and gavaged with distilled water, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 20 mg/kg BW/day of E and 100 and 1,000 mg/kg BW/day of PM for 14 days. Body weights were measured weekly, and vaginal epithelium cells were monitored daily. The uterus was dissected at the end of the treatment period, weighed and examined for histomorphometry. RESULTS: There were a decrease in body weight and an increase in uterine weight, uterine, endometrium and myometrium areas, uterine gland numbers, and percent of cornified cell which were dependent on doses of E and PM treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Of the three assays proposed, although all are reliable and had critical read-out, measurements of body and uterine weights is likely convenient and simple, but the uterotropic assay needs to kill the animals. Vaginal cytology assay appears most promising for sensitivity and shortening the duration of the assay. Compared to those of E, the estrogenic activity of PM at concentrations of 100 and 1,000 mg/kg BW was in the range of 14 to >20 mg/kg BW.
Authors: G G Kuiper; J G Lemmen; B Carlsson; J C Corton; S H Safe; P T van der Saag; B van der Burg; J A Gustafsson Journal: Endocrinology Date: 1998-10 Impact factor: 4.736