MATERNAL CONSUMPTION OF GLYCINE MAX AND SESAMUM INDICUM INCREASES REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES IN FEMALE OFFSPRING OF WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Soya Bean (Glycine max) and Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) are bio-resources normally consumed freely, even during the critical window of pregnancy and lactation. The health benefits of Soya Bean and Sesame seed were investigated on the offsprings of female Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) Male and thirty (30) female Wistar rats were paired at a ratio of 1:2 to procreate 30 female pups. The adult rats were divided into 6 groups: Group 1 served as Control, Group 2 had Clomiphene, Groups 3 and 4 received 50mg and 100mg Soya Beans respectively, while group 5 and 6 received 50mg and 100mg Sesame Seeds respectively. After a 9week experimental period, the study animals were sacrificed and blood samples taken, tissues harvested under standard procedures and analyzed. The results showed that 50mg Sesame seed group showed significant increase in LH (1.58± 0.40)mlu/ml, when compared to the control (0.45± 0.08) mlu/ml significance was considered at p<0.001 and Progesterone level for 100mg Sesame seed (32.46± 2.00)ng/ml, when compared to the control, (14.98± 2.27)ng/ml, significance was considered at p<0.001. The increase in LH levels signifies the onset of puberty while increased levels of progesterone can lead to anxiety, disruption in the onset of puberty and the menstrual cycle. The study therefore, concludes that graded doses of Sesamum indicum is capable of increasing the levels of LH and Progesterone and causing changes to offsprings when consumed maternally.