PHYTOESTROGEN CONTENT AND ESTROGENIC EFFECT OF LEGUME FODDER

This study is a summary of Finnish investigations of the phytoestrogen content of legume plants, red clover, white clover, alfalfa, and goat 's rue. In addition to the chemical analyses, biological studies were performed. Uterine weight of immature rats was used as an indicator of the estrogenic effect of the fodder used. All red clover varieties st udied contained estrogenic isoflavones, especially formononetin and bi ochanin-A. The phytoestrogen content varied from 1.0% to 2.5% of dry m atter. The biological study of white clover showed a clear estrogenic effect not visible through chemical analysis. Alfalfa contains small q uantities of formononetin and biochanin-A, but 25-65 ppm coumestrol in dry matter. The estrogenic effect of alfalfa was obvious in the biolo gical study. Goat's rue did not contain any known phytoestrogens, and the biological study was completely negative.