1976/01/09 by A. Starker Leopold, Michael S. Erwin, John S. Oh +1 · 2 citations
Medicine · #Phytoestrogen effects and research
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1246602
openalex publication_date 1976/01/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Phytoestrogens, largely formononetin and genistein, are produced in the leaves of stunted desert annuals in a dry year. When ingested by California quail, these compounds apparently inhibit reproduction and prevent the production of young that will not have adequate food. In a wet year, forbs grow vigorously and phytoestrogenic substances are largely absent. Quail then breed prolifically and the abundant seed crop carries the enlarged population through the winter.