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

Introduction: Soya bean is a legume that has been extensively used as an important source of dietary proteins, dietary fiber and oil throughout the world. It has also been identified to possess phytoestrogen components like isoflavones, coumestans and ligans, though rich in isoflavones. This has been shown to posse weak estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities at various concentrations. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of soya bean aqueous extract on the ovary and female reproductive hormones using adult female albino Wistar rats. Methodology: Fifteen adult female rats were assigned into three different groups of 5rats each. Group 1 was the negative control. Both groups 2 and 3 were the treatment groups. They were treated with 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of soya bean aqueous extract respectively. The treatment of the animals lasted for 4weeks and the feeding was done orally. Blood samples were collected and assayed for FSH, LH and estrogen hormones. The ovaries were also processed for histological studies. Result: Increases in the hormonal levels were observed in both group 2 and 3, when compared with group 1. There was significant increase in LH in group 3 and estrogen in groups 2 and 3 when compared to group 1. Histological examination of the ovary showed a progressive enhancement in the ovarian follicles population and maturation in the treated groups. Conclusion: The research showed that soya beans had obvious positive effects on the ovary and female reproductive hormones. A further study in human is recommended especially in the aspect of the management of menopause.