Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of fermented Soya bean and Vitamin C supplement on some lactogenic hormones and mammary gland histology in female lactating Wistar rats. Thirty five (35) adult female rats were used for this study. At parturition, the animals were randomly divided into seven (7) groups of five (5) rats each (n=5) and treated as follows: Group I: (Normal control) was given normal feed and distilled water, orally (1 ml/kg bw), Group II: metoclopramide (5 mg/kg bw), Group III: 100 mg/kg bw of Vitamin C, Groups IV, V and VI were given soya bean supplement thus; 10%, 20% and 40%, respectively. Group VII was co-administered with 20% soya bean supplement and Vitamin C (100 mg/kg bw). Treatment was done for the period of ten (10) days at 06:00 pm daily. The result of serum level of Growth hormone showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in the groups treated with vitamin C (VIT C), Soya Bean (SB) 10%, SB 20% and SB 20% + VIT C. compared to the control group. Progesterone level was significantly high (P <0.05) in the groups treated with metoclopramide (26.18 ± 1.87), VIT C (25.78 ± 1.53), SB 10% (26.52± 2.47) and SB 20% (28.70 ± 1.29) when compared to the control (16.66 ± 1.99) group. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in serum 17-β Estradiol level was recorded in the groups treated with VIT C (669.60 ± 54.04), SB 10% (705.00 ± 27.53), and SB 20% + VIT C (725.40 ± 29.62) compared to the control (632.60 ± 42.96) group. All the treated groups showed an improvement in alveoli distension in the mammary gland, enhancing its capacity to accommodate increased milk volume during lactation. Therefore, supplementation with Soya bean and vitamin C should be encouraged in lactating mothers.