| Summary: | The effect of chrysin, a flavonoid found in Passiflora spp., honey and propolis on female sex hormones and on ovarian and uterine histology was studied. Treatment of Wistar rats with chrysin (100 mg/kg) for 28 days resulted in persistent or prolonged estrous phase. Histologically, no difference was found between different groups in the percentage of atretic preantral and antral follicles. Uteri of chrysin-treated groups had slit-like lumens during the estrous stage compared to the control group that had fluid-filled wide lumens. The height of luminal epithelium was higher in chrysin-treated groups and had more apoptotic cells. Immunohistochemical studies showed that chrysin had no effect on aromatase expression in the ovary or progesterone and estrogen-receptor alpha expression in the uterus. LH and progesterone, but not estrogen and FSH, levels were higher in chrysin-treated group. In conclusion, chrysin increased LH and progesterone levels and produced histological alterations in the uterus.
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