The effects of phytoestrogens on endometrium

Phytoestrogens are plant derived estrogens which shows typical estrogenic effects. Dietary fitoestrogens have positive effects such as decreasing the menopose symptoms and the hormon related carsinoma and preveting many chronical diseases and also have some adverse effects depending on the dosage. The aim of this study is to examine the phytoestrogen diet which depend on dosage on ultrastructure of uterus endometrium in mice.In this study, genistein and daidzein containing phytoestrogen diet was administered to mice starting from the postnatal day 21. guinea pigs were divided into 3 different groups which were fed with 3 different diets for 6 weeks: Phytoestrogen free diet (Phyto-0), a diet containing 500 ?g/g phytoestrogen (Phyto-500) and a diet containing 1000 ?g/g phytoestrogen (Phyto-1000). After completing their sexual maturity on 63rd day, uterus of test animals were fixed by perfusion. Semi-thin sections of uterus tissue samples were examined under light microscope, thin sections were examined under transmission microscope and gold particules covered sections were examined under scanning electron microscope.In Phyto-0 control group, endometrium was having its normal structure and only a few cells had pinopodes or apical protrusions (Pinopod precursor) which are the markers of early secretory phase. In Phyto-500, a few numbers of electron dense cells were obtained, which are considered as apoptic and proapoptic cells. Pinopod amount were increased and mitochondrial swelling and cristalysis had observed in endometrial cells. In Phyto-1000 group, edematous areas were observed on connective tissues and on almost each epithelial cell, pinopods were disappeared and instead of them apical ruptures has been seen when compared to the other 2 groups. There was a distinct increase in proapoptotic and apoptotic cells amount, and ultrastructural degenerations were seen in epithelial cells.In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that a high dose of phytoestrogen consumption may cause degenerative effect on uterus endometrium and it might effect the fertility by starting the late-secretory phase earlier than the expected time.