Transgenerational toxicity of Zearalenone in pigs

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin that can be a contaminant of food and feed commodities. ZEN acts as a xenoestrogen and is considered an endocrine disruptor. Since estrogens influence oogenesis during fetal growth, the effect of ZEN on oocytes was investigated in the F1-generation. Pregnant and lactating pigs were exposed to feed naturally contaminated with ZEN (200, 500 and 1000 μg/kg feed). Ovaries of F1-animals were examined for follicle development, expression of estrogen converting enzymes and estrogen receptors, and oocyte quality. In F1-newborns, ZEN did not affect follicle dynamics, but follicle integrity decreased with increasing ZEN concentrations. Expression of estrogen receptor beta mRNA increased following ZEN exposure, whereas expression of genes coding for estrogen converting enzymes remained unchanged. In F1-prepubertal gilts, follicular atresia and oocyte maturation with subsequent embryo development remained unchanged. In conclusion, ZEN reduced the quantity of healthy follicles, which may lead to premature oocyte depletion in adulthood.

► F1 fetal and suckling pigs are exposed to Zearalenone via the placenta and the mother milk.
► Zearalenone reduce the quantity of healthy follicles in F1 newborn piglets.
► Zearalenone does not affect oocyte quality in F1-gilts.
► Exposure to Zearalenone may lead to premature oocyte depletion in F1 gilts.