Toxic Effects of Maternal Zearalenone Exposure on Uterine Capacity and Fetal Development in Gestation Rats

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of high-dose and early gestational exposure to zearalenone (ZEN) in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, to correlate the maternal uterus with the fetus, and to explore the development and malformation of fetuses. Pregnant female SD rats were fed diets containing 0.3, 48.5, 97.6, or 146.0 mg/kg ZEN on gestational days (GDs) 0 through 7. All the females survived until GD 20, at which point a cesarean section was performed to harvest the organs, blood, and fetuses. The results indicated that exposure to ZEN during early gestation can impact the maternal reproductive capability. Delayed fetal development was directly linked to maternal toxicity. The toxic effects of ZEN caused early deaths more frequently than late deaths, and the deleterious effects lasted through the end of pregnancy.

Urine and serum biomonitoring of exposure to environmental estrogens II: Soy isoflavones and zearalenone in pregnant women

“…Studies in pigs showed an impact on the reproductive capacity of dams fed a naturally contaminated diet (0.2e1 mg ZEN/kg feed). Other studies reported delayed fetal development in rats administered high doses (48.5e146 mg ZEN/kg feed) (Schoevers et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2014). In contrast to the isoflavones, ZEN binds to both ER isoforms with similar affinity (reviewed in Metzler et al, 2010).…”

Alleviation of zearalenone toxicity by modified halloysite nanotubes in the immune response of swine

“…The detrimental effects of ZEN may be more obvious during pregnancy because the foetus is susceptible to toxins due to its fragile developmental state and lack of adequate defence mechanisms. Studies have indicated that maternal ZEN exposure induces a delay of foetal development in rats and reduced litter size in the sows (Diekman & Long et al 1989;Zhang, Jia, et al 2014). The early events of pregnancy are associated with rapid changes in the *Corresponding author.…”

“…The trans-generational effects of ZEN have been studied in the reproductive system of rats, mice and pigs (Nikaido et al 2004;Schoevers et al 2012;Zhang, Jia, et al 2014). It is hypothesised that maternal ZEN exposure can damage the immune function of pregnant sows and the offspring, and increase the death rate of neonatal and weaning piglets.…”

Use of modified halloysite nanotubes in the feed reduces the toxic effects of zearalenone on sow reproduction and piglet development

“…Zearalenone frequently occurs in piglets under natural conditions, which are caused by ZEN exposure in the uterus and placental transfer from the exposed sow to her piglets or by the stored ZEN during gestation release via suckling the piglets [8]. Exposure to ZEN during gestation can delay the fetal development and lead to premature oocyte depletion in adulthood of the offspring [9,10]. At the beginning of gestation in pigs, the maternal and fetal blood is separated by the endothelial cells of the maternal blood vessels, maternal connective tissue, and endometrial epithelial cells (epitheliochorial placenta), which affects the direct contact of the maternal blood with the fetal chorion.…”