[2] It has garnered research interest because of its estrogenic activity and prevalence in some foods, including soybeans, brussels sprouts, spinach and a variety of legumes.

The highest concentrations of coumestrol are found in clover, Kala Chana (a type of chick pea), and Alfalfa sprouts.

Exposure produced similar decreases of sexual behavior in female rats, as a result of the disruption of estrogen dependent gene expression in the brain.

[14] When neonatal female mice were treated with coumestrol, similar reproductive irregularities occurred, and at 22 months old, atypical collagen distribution was observed in the uterine wall.

[15] When 2 day old male Wistar rats are injected with coumestrol daily, they exhibit a decrease in size in the lumens of their seminiferous tubules and germ cells go through increased rates of apoptosis.

In addition to these anatomical abnormalities, exposure to coumestrol has also been shown to alter the estrus cycle of a number of animals, including cows and sheep, resulting in lower rates of fertility.

[17] Studies have shown that coumestrol has beneficial properties on carbohydrate metabolism in ovariectomized rats, decreasing glycogen levels in skeletal muscle.

[19] In addition, studies indicate that coumestrol and other phytoestrogens have an antiestrogenic effect in the brain and, as a result, do not produce the mental health benefits which are seen in estrogen replacement therapy.

[20] Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have investigated this matter and concluded that phytoestrogens may be used as an effective treatment for breast cancer because of their apoptotic properties, but that it is only safe to do so after menopause, when women have a much lower level of estrogen in their bodies, or when used conjunctively with anti-estrogen therapies.

[18] In addition, further research is required to fully understand the biosynthesis pathway of coumestrol, although it is believed to be similar to that of flavones and isoflavones.