Zearalenone toxicosis on reproduction as estrogen receptor selective modulator and alleviation of zearalenone biodegradative agent in pregnant sows

Abstract

Background Zearalenone (ZEA) is a resorcylic acid lactone derivative derived from various Fusarium species that are widely found in food and feeds. The molecular structure of ZEA resembles that of the mammalian hormone 17β-oestradiol, thus zearalenone and its metabolites are known to compete with endogenous hormones for estrogen receptors binding sites and to activate transcription of oestrogen-responsive genes. However, the effect of long-term low-dose ZEA exposure on the reproductive response to Bacillus subtilis ANSB01G culture for first-parity gilts has not yet been investigated. This study was conducted to investigate the toxic effects of ZEA as an estrogen receptor selective modulator and the alleviating effects of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01G cultures as ZEA biodegraders in pregnant sows during their first parity. Results A total of 80 first-parity gilts (Yorkshire × Landrace) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments during gestation: CO (positive control); MO (negative control, 246 μg ZEA/kg diet); COA (CO + B. subtilis ANSB01G culture with 2 × 109 CFU/kg diet); MOA (MO + B. subtilis ANSB01G culture with 2 × 109 CFU/kg diet). There were 20 replications per treatment with one gilt per replicate. Feeding low-dose ZEA naturally contaminated diets disordered most of reproductive hormones secretion and affected estrogen receptor-α and estrogen receptor-β concentrations in serum and specific organs and led to moderate histopathological changes of gilts, but did not cause significant detrimental effects on reproductive performance. The addition of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01G culture to the diet can effectively relieve the competence of ZEA to estrogen receptor and the disturbance of reproductive hormones secretion, and then ameliorate toxicosis of ZEA in gilts. Conclusions Collectively, our study investigated the effects of feeding low-dose ZEA on reproduction in pregnant sows during their first parity. Feeding low-dose ZEA could modulate estrogen receptor-α and -β concentrations in specific organs, cause disturbance of reproductive hormones and vulva swelling, and damage organ histopathology and up-regulate apoptosis in sow models. Diet with Bacillus subtilis ANSB01G alleviated negative effects of the ZEA on gilts to some extent.

Maternal Zearalenone Exposure Affects Gut Microbiota and Follicular Development in Suckled Offspring

“…To be note, ZEN exhibited toxicity on the reproductive system with direct and indirect methods. First, acting as an endocrine disruptor, ZEN is directly toxic to the female reproductive system through the estrogen receptor, which has been proved by a large number of studies. , For example, ZEN could affect the secretory function of supporting cells and disrupt the secretion of reproductive hormones via estrogen receptors, which in turn leads to reduced fertility. , Importantly, some recent studies have found that ZEN exposure in adolescent mice affects the intestinal flora structure, leads to abnormalities in the LPC anabolic pathway, and induced ovarian developmental disorders . Since diet is the most common route of human exposure to ZEN, whether the reproductive disorder caused by ZEN is potentially related with the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract is a critical issue that needs to be studied.…”

“…First, acting as an endocrine disruptor, ZEN is directly toxic to the female reproductive system through the estrogen receptor, which has been proved by a large number of studies. 38,39 For example, ZEN could affect the secretory function of supporting cells and disrupt the secretion of reproductive hormones via estrogen receptors, which in turn leads to reduced fertility. 38,40 Importantly, some recent studies have found that ZEN exposure in adolescent mice affects the intestinal flora structure, leads to abnormalities in the LPC anabolic pathway, and induced ovarian developmental disorders.…”

Protective and detoxifying effects conferred by selenium against mycotoxins and livestock viruses: A review

“…In the case of male rabbits, inhibited spermatogenesis and reduced reserves of testicular and epididymal sperm were noted after exposure to increasing AFB1 concentration of up to 7.5 mg/kg ( 32 ). Similarly, in sow models, ZEA could, at low doses, regulate the concentration of estrogen receptors-α and -β in specific organs while inducing apoptosis, vulva swelling, and an imbalance of reproductive hormones ( 33 ). Other mycotoxins, such as T-2, DON, and ZEN, can also cause reproductive toxicity by inhibiting steroidogenesis and cell proliferation.…”

Effects of a Multi-Component Mycotoxin-Detoxifying Agent on Oxidative Stress, Health and Performance of Sows

“…In particular, dietary ingestion of mycotoxins can cause severe damage to the immune [ 10 ], reproductive [ 11 ] and respiratory systems [ 12 ], as well as to various organs such as the intestine [ 13 , 14 ], kidney [ 15 ] and liver [ 16 , 17 ]. In sows, mycotoxins cause (a) decreased feed intake, (b) problems in piglet development [ 18 ], (c) liver damage [ 19 ], (d) gastrointestinal tract dysfunction (GI) and oxidative stress [ 20 ], (e) various reproductive and infant system dysfunctions [ 21 , 22 ] and (d) offspring health problems (e.g., swollen vulva in suckling piglets, increased indicators of oxidative stress) [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. In addition, they are considered a crucial risk factor for postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) [ 26 ].…”