Maternal and perinatal brain aromatase: effects of dietary soy phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens are extensively investigated for their potential to prevent many hormone-dependent cancers and age-related diseases, however little is known about their effects in brain. Brain aromatase and plasma phytoestroge n levels were determined in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a phytoestrogen-rich di et during pregnancy/lactation. Ingested phytoestrogens cross the placenta a nd become concentrated in maternal milt as evident from high infantile plas ma concentrations. Dietary phytoestrogens, however, do not alter brain arom atase during pregnancy/lactation or perinatal development. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.