Effect of Aqueous Extract of Soya Bean (Glycine Max) on the Male Reproductive Hormones and the Testes of Male Albino Wistar Rats

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Soya Bean (Glycine Max) on the Male Reproductive Hormones and the Testes of Male Albino Wistar Rats

 RDarlington-Peter Chibuzor UGOJI 1,3*, Emmanuel Chijioke Uwakwe 1,3, Ugochukwu Sunday Julius Ezenyirioha 2, Kelvin Emeka Ortuanya 4, Sunday Emmanuel Ucha 3, Grace Umahi 1, Elizabeth Besong 1, John Chukwuka Igwe 1
1Department of Physiology, Ebonyi State University, Nigeria
2Julius Ezenyirioha Memorial Hospital and Maternity, Abakpa Nike, Enugu State, Nigeria
3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu State, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author
Received: 14 February 2023; Accepted: 04 March 2023; Published: 05 April 2023

Abstract: – Soya bean is a widely used plant seed that possess phytosteriods components like isoflavones, coumestans and ligans, though rich in isoflavones. This has been shown to act on the steroid receptors thereby either exiting or inhibiting the receptor site and subsequently the function of the receptor. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of soya bean aqueous extract on the testis and male reproductive hormones using adult male albino Wistar rats. Fifteen adult male rats were assigned into three groups of 5 animals each. Group 1 was negative control. Both groups 2 and 3 were treated with 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of soya bean aqueous extract respectively. Treatment of the animals lasted for 4weeks and was done orally. Blood sample was collected and assayed for FSH, LH and testosterone hormones. The testes were also processed for histological studies. The result showed general increases in hormonal levels. However, FSH was marginally significant only in group 3 when compared to group 1. Histological examination of the testis showed more testicular tubular development in groups 3 and 2 when compared to group 1. We concludedthat soya beans have positive effect on the testes and male reproductive hormones.However, a further study in human is recommended especially in the aspect of management of male infertility.

Keywords: soya bean, glycine max, reproductive hormones, FSH, LH, testosterone, testis.

I. Introduction

Soya beans is a plant seed and biological named as Glycinemax (Singh, 2014). It has health benefits (Sugano, 2006). It is commonly used as food additive because it is cheap, cholesterol-free, vegetable protein rich in complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats, high in fiber, and free of lactose (Patisaul and Jefferson, 2010). It is considered to be the richest source of phytosteriods which can metabolize to testosterone (Dadon and Reifen, 2010). Testosterone is the major male hormone that induces spermatogenesis under the influence of FSH and LH (Zhao, 2011). Once the functionality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular pathway is good, fertility is preserved (Zhao, 2011).

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