Effect of disease on the oestrogenic activity and coumestrol content of white clover and lucerne

Abstract
The oestrogenic activity and coumestrol content of ‘diseased’ and ‘clean’ white clover and lucerne were investigated. It was found that both coumestrol content and oestrogenic activity were increased in diseased white clover. However, there was insufficient coumestrol to account for the oestrogenic activity and it was suggested that other factors (e. g. oestrogen potentiator, unidentified oestrogen) were involved.