Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to check deleterious effects of genistein on the reproduction of albino female mouse Mus musculus. Methods: Pregnant mice were treated with genistein at 0, 0.5 and 10 mg/ kg body weight (BW) by a daily subcutaneous injection from the tenth day of gestation till the dams delivered their pups. Results: Genistein exposed pups showed accelerated body growth and onset of puberty as compared to control. At the adult stage genistein exposed mice found with altered estrous cyclicity and hormone levels as compared to control mice. Histological observation revealed presence of less number of healthy follicles and some abnormal follicles, like cystic follicle as well as more atretic follicles in ovary and decreased lumen size and less proliferation of uterine glands in the uterus of genistein exposed mice as compared to control mice. During fertility test genistein exposed dams were found with significantly low litter size and hormone levels. Conclusion: The results of the present study substantiate that developmental exposure to genistein induces abnormal development and affects reproductive physiology of female mice at adult stage.
