Abstract

Background:
Mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata) (MBS) are recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Aim:
The objective of this study was to determine the impact of mung bean sprouts (MBS) suspension on the reproductive organs of female rats.

Methods:
A total Fifteen eight-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats in their diestrus phases were allocated into three distinct groups: one control group receiving aquadest (P0) and two experimental groups receiving 1% Mung Bean Sprout (MBS) suspension (P1) and 5% MBS suspension (P2) for 20 days. The assessment of reproductive organs was conducted using measured serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and progesterone. The measurements of ovarian and uterine relative weights, uterine cornual diameter, uterine cornual length, uterine vascularization, histological assessment of uterine gland diameter, and the quantification of primary, secondary, tertiary, de Graaf follicles, corpus luteum, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression in the ovary were also evaluated.

Results:
The P1 groups exhibited a substantial rise in relative weights of the uterus and ovaries, whereas the P2 groups had an increase in uterine cornual width, length, and vascularization. Neither the P1 nor P2 groups exhibited an increase in uterine gland diameter or the quantity of ovarian follicles and corpus luteum, despite the observation of larger mature superficial follicles. Serum concentrations of FSH in both P1 and P2 groups were significantly lower than those in the P0 group. The suspension treatment of MBS showed a nonsignificant influence on serum estradiol concentrations across all groups. A notable rise in serum progesterone levels and VEGF expression was detected in both P1 and P2 groups.

Conclusions:
The 20-day administration of MBS enhanced the reproductive system and function in female rats.

Key words: Female rat, Mung bean sprouts, Hormones concentration