Isoflavone mutations in subterranean clover. II. Assessment of oestrogenic activity by ewe bioassay

Abstract

Four chemically induced mutations and the parent Geraldton variety of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were bioassayed for oestrogenic activity with the use of ovariectomized ewes. Mutant 972 demonstrated the ability of the sheep to hydrolyse isoflavone glycosides, and mutant A258 the likelihood that daidzein is a plant oestrogen active in the sheep. In contrast to all known strains of subterranean clover, the mutants B763 and L858 contained less than 0.25% isoflavones, and had negligible, if any, oestrogenic activity.