Impact of kudzu and puerarin on sperm function

• Kudzu extract and puerarin were tested in receptor and sperm function assays.
• Extracts and puerarin displayed greater affinity for estrogen receptor-beta.
• Kudzu extract, but not puerarin, reduced motility of sperm.
• Puerarin and kudzu extract differentially reduced acrosome reaction.
• Kudzu extract and puerarin increased sperm chromatin decondensation.

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of kudzu (Pueraria mirifica) and the isoflavone puerarin in functional toxicological tests on spermatozoa and to assess the affinity of extracts and pure isoflavones for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta (ERα, ERβ) in receptor binding assays. Capacitation, acrosome reaction and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were analyzed using microscopic analysis. Kudzu, but not puerarin, reduced motility of sperm. Puerarin reduced the percent spontaneous acrosome reaction in spermatozoa. The pathways used by kudzu that affect sperm function are not fully mirrored by puerarin. Puerarin, kudzu and its other phytoestrogenic components displayed preferential affinity for ERβ, however the diverse effects of kudzu and puerarin on sperm function implicate the involvement of multiple signaling systems.

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