The Effect of Trifolium pratense L. (Red Clover) on Rat Testes

Abstract

Trifolium pratense L. is a legume containing large amounts of phytoestrogen. It contains four important estrogenic isoflavones (biochanin A, formonentin, genistein, daidzein) and coumestans. The effect of Trifolium pratense L. on the testes of rats was investigated in terms of the following parameters: (a) testis weights, (b) volume densities of seminiferous tubule, seminiferous tubule epithelium, spermatogonium nucleus and Sertoli cell nucleus and (c) Sertoli cell number. For comparative purposes, the effect of the well characterized exogenous estrogen, 17-beta estradiol was also examined. Female Wistar rats (n = 80) and their male offspring (n = 54) were divided into 3 diet groups. The first group were given a basic diet with 7.5% Trifolium pretense L. added, the second group were given the basic diet with 0.5mg/kg dose of 17-beta estradiol added and the control group fed with the basic diet alone. The male offspring were sacrificed at postnatal days 18 and 90. Trifolium pretense L. in the diet was found to have a short term positive effect on pupertal spermatogenesis but a negative effect on it in the long term.