# Exploring the impact of chia seeds and matcha green tea on gene expression related to the puberty pathway in growing male New Zealand white rabbits

## TL;DR

This study examines how chia seeds and matcha tea affect puberty-related genes in male rabbits, finding that matcha tea may promote early puberty.

## Contribution

The study introduces new insights into the effects of chia seeds and matcha tea on puberty-related gene expression in rabbits.

## Key findings

- Matcha tea up-regulated genes like FSHR and ESR1, suggesting a role in early puberty.
- Chia seeds increased testosterone levels without altering FSH or LH hormone levels.
- Matcha tea down-regulated the LHR gene, while chia seeds up-regulated it.

## Abstract

Abundant direct and in-direct genes are involved in regulating sexual hormones, and reproductive process under nitrite antioxidant plants in rabbit feed. However, there is not enough information about the role of chia seeds and matcha tea as anti-oxidative plants inhibit some direct and in-direct genes related to puberty of growing male rabbits. In this study New-Zealand White (NZW) rabbits treated with chia seeds and matcha tea in water from age after weaning to marketing age about two months ago and determent some sexual hormones, direct and in-direct genes related to puberty and reproduction process. Our data showed total testosterone measured by ELISA increased significantly in chia rabbits compared to control. ELISA analysis revealed that there were no alterations in the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the treated groups. Direct genes such as doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1), sex-determining region Y protein (SRY), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) determent by qPCR show up-regulating in matcha groups comparable to control group. While in-direct genes follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) detected by qPCR showed up-regulated in matcha rabbits compared to control rabbits. But, luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) gene was down-regulated in matcha group, and it was up-regulated in chia seeds groups. The prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene investigates down-regulation in all treatment groups. Collectively, matcha tea as one of antioxidant plants were involved those genes studied and activated via hypothalamic- pituitary gonadal axis and led to early puberty in growing male NZW rabbits.