Reproductive hormones exert their actions via receptors in diverse tissues. In this study, we examined the expression of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), progesterone receptor (PR), and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in the adipose tissue and reproductive organs of mice following oral treatment with Dandelion T-1 extract (DT-1E) for 6 weeks. Quantitative assays by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed enhanced expression of ERα and ERβ mRNA in the adipose tissue of mice fed a diet containing DT-1E compared with the control group fed a plain diet. Furthermore, following gonadotropin injection, higher mRNA expression of ERα, ERβ and PR in the uterus and FSHR in the ovary was found in the DT-1E group compared with the control group. An immunohistochemical study also showed increased levels of the above-mentioned receptors in the DT-1E group. The present study shows that oral intake of DT-1E up-regulates ERα, ERβ, PR and FSHR expression in mice, suggesting the potential application of DT-1E for the clinical treatment of reproductive hormone-related disturbances.

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