Perinatal xenohormone exposure impacts sweet preference and submandibular development in male rats.

Objective To determine the effect of perinatal exposure to low doses of genistein and/or vinclozolin on submandibular salivary gland (SSG) development in juvenile and adult male rats and to establish a link with sweet preference. Material and Methods Female rats received orally (1 mg kg−1 body weight/day) genistein and vinclozolin, alone or in combination, from the first gestational day up to weaning. Sweet preference was assessed at weaning and in adulthood in male offspring; submandibular glands were then collected to study the morphogenesis and mRNA expression of steroid receptors, growth factors and taste related proteins. Results Exposure to genistein and/or vinclozolin resulted in a h…