Zearalenone (ZEN) and Its Metabolite Levels in Tissues of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Southern Italy: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by the fungi of the Fusarium genera, and is a contaminant of cereals and plant products. ZEN and its metabolites are considered endocrine disruptors, and could have various toxic effects on animals and humans. In recent years, there has been a significant demographic increase in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in many mountainous and hilly areas of Italy, including the Campania region, mainly due to global climate change. The wild boar can be defined as a generalist and omnivorous species capable of varying its diet; therefore, it can play a role as an environmental bioindicator towards contaminants such as mycotoxins. This study was conducted to evaluate, for the first time, the concentrations of ZEN and its metabolites in the liver, kidney, and muscle of 82 wild boars shot in their habitat by hunters with hunting permits in different localities of Avellino province (Campania region, Southern Italy) from 2021 to 2022. The samples were collected and analyzed with an SPE clean-up and high-pressure liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection. The results indicated that ZEN and α-Zearalenol were present in most of the samples, suggesting that a plan to monitor these mycoestrogens is essential to achieve the goals of “One Health”.

Detection of selected pathogens in reproductive tissues of wild boars in the Campania region, southern Italy

“…There are several pathogens described as responsible for reduced fertility, which can be caused by a variety of conditions, including stress, environmental variables [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]. Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is a primary pathogen responsible for SMEDI (Stillbirth, Mummification, Embryonic Death, and Infertility), and its spread has been described in both domestic and wild pigs [ 6 ].…”

Oxidative Status and Histological Evaluation of Wild Boars’ Tissues Positive for Zearalenone Contamination in the Campania Region, Southern Italy

“…ZEN’s metabolism, mostly hepatic (as in the case of pigs [ 47 ]), and the absence of renal fibrosis, as well as the small sample size, could explain the nonsignificant variation in GPx enzymatic activity in the kidneys. In fact, in a previous study, in wild boars’ kidneys, α-ZEL accumulation was found [ 28 ], which activity was more estrogenic [ 48 ] than nephrotoxic. In this regard, it could be interesting to examine the kidney tissues positive for α-ZEL and compare their relative nephrotoxicity [ 37 ].…”

“…Our sampling consisted of 34 livers, 21 muscles (diaphragm), and 12 kidneys that resulted positive for ZEN contamination by HPLC-FLD analysis in our previous study [ 28 ] and were grouped into the Zearalenone-positive group (ZEN+). A total of 14 wild boar samples negative to ZEN for each organ (14 livers, 14 diaphragm, and 14 kidneys) were assigned to the Zearalenone-negative group (ZEN−).…”

“…At the same time, the increase in natural wild boar populations has stimulated interest in this species as a meat producer and sentinel for environmental contaminants [ 27 ]. Recent findings revealed ZEN contamination in wild boars hunted in the province of Avellino, an area of the Campania Region with the highest number of these wild animals [ 28 ]. Since ZEN effects in wild boars are poorly documented and mainly focus on its detrimental effects on reproductive organs, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ZEN on some parameters of OS and morphologic alterations in the liver, kidney, and muscle of ZEN-contaminated wild boars hunted in the province of Avellino, which organs are used in a variety of traditional recipes, including stews, sauces, cured meats, and sausages.…”

Immunohistochemical Expression (IE) of Oestrogen Receptors in the Intestines of Prepubertal Gilts Exposed to Zearalenone

“…However, they are not steroids and do not originate from sterane structures [ 10 ]. EDs such as zearalenone are involved in several processes [ 11 , 12 ] that influence the endocrine system [ 13 ] and induce side effects [ 14 ]: (i) in prepubertal gilts, EDs compete with endogenous oestrogens for the binding sites of oestrogen receptors (ERs), which can alter mRNA expression levels and protein synthesis and reduce the efficacy of endogenous steroids [ 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]; (ii) EDs can bind to the inactive receptor (i.e., blocking it), thereby preventing the binding of natural hormones to that receptor (antagonistic effect) [ 11 , 17 ]; (iii) EDs reduce the levels of circulating natural hormones because they bind to blood transporting proteins, [ 2 ]; and (iv) EDs can also affect the body’s metabolism by influencing the rates of synthesis, decomposition, and release of natural hormones [ 10 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”