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No Long Term Effect of Soy Infant Formula on Reproductive Organs Size at Age 5 Years
Author(s) -
Andres Aline,
Moore Mary,
Linam Leann,
Casey Patrick,
Cleves Mario,
Badger Thomas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.901.25
Subject(s) - physiology , birth weight , biology , gestational age , uterus , pregnancy , estrogen , medicine , gynecology , endocrinology , genetics
Several published reports suggest that phytochemicals, such as isoflavones found in soybeans, impair reproductive function in animals and raise the possibility that consuming soy infant formula could alter estrogen‐sensitive organ development in children. This study compared reproductive organs volumes and morphological characteristics in 101 children aged 5 years who were breast fed (N=35, 18 F, 17 M), milk formula fed (N=32, 18 F, 14 M) or soy formula fed (N=34, 15 F, 19 M) as infants. Breast buds, uterus, ovaries, prostate, and testicular volumes and characteristics were assessed by ultrasonography. Birth weight, birth length, gestational age, age at examination or weight and height at age 5 years did not differ between diet groups (P>0.05). Among girls, there were no significant differences in breast bud, ovarian or uterine volumes, counts of ovaries with cysts, ovarian cysts numbers, ovarian cysts size and uterine shape between diet group adjusting for race, gestational age, birth weight, birth length, child's age, weight and height. Among boys, there were no significant differences in breast bud, testes or prostate volumes or morphological characteristics between diet groups after adjusting for covariates. These data suggest that soy formula does not adversely affect reproductive organs volumes and morphological characteristics in children at age 5 years. The follow up of these children through puberty should help delineate potential early infant feeding effects on reproductive function later in life. Funded by USDA‐ARS CRIS # 6251‐51000‐005‐03S.