Abstract-based review · 2013
Soybean meal feeding and reproductive outcomes in goldfish
Testosterone decreased, estradiol increased, and egg, sperm, fertilisation and hatching outcomes deteriorated with higher soybean-meal treatments.
Review scope
Abstract-based review. Full methods, complete statistical results and product equivalence have not been appraised. This is research context, not an individual feeding or treatment recommendation.
Study question and design
Young goldfish fed experimental diets until maturation; three replicate tanks per diet. Fishmeal control and soybean-meal treatments reported as 35%, 65% and 100%; percentage basis was not resolved from the abstract.
Main findings
Testosterone decreased, estradiol increased, and egg, sperm, fertilisation and hatching outcomes deteriorated with higher soybean-meal treatments.
Limitations and applicability
The abstract does not establish a universal safe level or equivalent effects from other soybean preparations or fish species.
Ingredients investigated
Direct ingredient investigations
Soybean meal
Direct · goldfish. Goldfish about 20 weeks after hatching and approximately 2 g initial weight; three replicate tanks per diet.
Tested form: Soybean meal used in experimental diets as a fish-meal alternative. Dose: 100% treatment level as reported; basis unresolved in abstract (Reported soybean-meal treatment percentages; exact percentage basis is not resolved in the reviewed abstract and must not be treated as whole-diet inclusion). Duration: Fed until maturation; number of days not reported in reviewed abstract. Comparator: Fish-meal control diet.
Measured finding: Across increasing soybean-meal treatments, testosterone decreased, estradiol increased and reproductive performance deteriorated. The abstract does not isolate every measured endpoint for each dose.
Limitations: Specific goldfish maturation trial; dose basis requires full-methods review. Whole diets and graded replacement differ from an isolated ingredient or ordinary commercial exposure.
Soybean meal
Direct · goldfish. Goldfish about 20 weeks after hatching and approximately 2 g initial weight; three replicate tanks per diet.
Tested form: Soybean meal used in experimental diets as a fish-meal alternative. Dose: 35% treatment level as reported; basis unresolved in abstract (Reported soybean-meal treatment percentages; exact percentage basis is not resolved in the reviewed abstract and must not be treated as whole-diet inclusion). Duration: Fed until maturation; number of days not reported in reviewed abstract. Comparator: Fish-meal control diet.
Measured finding: Across increasing soybean-meal treatments, testosterone decreased, estradiol increased and reproductive performance deteriorated. The abstract does not isolate every measured endpoint for each dose.
Limitations: Specific goldfish maturation trial; dose basis requires full-methods review. Whole diets and graded replacement differ from an isolated ingredient or ordinary commercial exposure.
Soybean meal
Direct · goldfish. Goldfish about 20 weeks after hatching and approximately 2 g initial weight; three replicate tanks per diet.
Tested form: Soybean meal used in experimental diets as a fish-meal alternative. Dose: 65% treatment level as reported; basis unresolved in abstract (Reported soybean-meal treatment percentages; exact percentage basis is not resolved in the reviewed abstract and must not be treated as whole-diet inclusion). Duration: Fed until maturation; number of days not reported in reviewed abstract. Comparator: Fish-meal control diet.
Measured finding: Across increasing soybean-meal treatments, testosterone decreased, estradiol increased and reproductive performance deteriorated. The abstract does not isolate every measured endpoint for each dose.
Limitations: Specific goldfish maturation trial; dose basis requires full-methods review. Whole diets and graded replacement differ from an isolated ingredient or ordinary commercial exposure.
Evidence.pet interpretation
Apply this result only within its species, preparation and study conditions. An ingredient listing alone does not establish that a commercial product reproduces the tested intervention.
Funding and conflicts
Not established from the reviewed abstract.
Ingredient references
These are research references. The tested form, dose and formulation must be matched before using a result to support a product claim.
Source
Bagheri T; Imanpoor MR; Jafari V; Bennetau-Pelissero C. Reproductive impairment and endocrine disruption in goldfish by feeding diets containing soybean meal. Animal Reproduction Science. 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.02.003.
Primary source record (PMID 23611471) · Publisher DOI
Reviewed 2 October 2026 · Next review 2 January 2027.