Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a natural contaminant of various food and feed products representing a significant problem worldwide. Since the occurrence of ZEA in grains and feeds is frequent, the present study was carried out to evaluate the possible effects of ZEA on steroid production and gene expression of porcine granulosa cells, using RNA-seq analysis. Porcine granulosa cells were administered 10 μM and 30 μM ZEA during 72 h of culture in vitro. Following ZEA treatment the gene expression profile of control and exposed granulosa cells was compared using RNA-seq analysis. The results showed that in the exposed granulosa cells ZEA significantly altered the transcript levels, particularly steroidogenesis associated genes. Compared with the control group, 10 μM and 30 μM ZEA treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of EDN1, IER3, TGFβ and BDNF genes and significantly reduced the mRNA expression of IGF-1 and SFRP2 genes. In particular, ZEA significantly decreased the expression of genes essential for estrogen synthesis including FSHR, CYP19A1 and HSD17β in granulosa cells. Furthermore, Q-PCR and Western-blot analysis also confirmed reduced expression of these genes in ZEA exposed granulosa cells. These effects were associated with a significant reduction of 17β-estradiol concentrations in the culture medium of granulosa cells. Collectively, these results demonstrated a concretely deleterious effect of ZEA exposure on the mRNA expression of steroidogenesis related genes and the production of steroid hormones in porcine ovarian granulosa cells in vitro.
Highlights
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a toxic compound produced by several species of Fusarium and causing mycotoxicosis in animals [1]
We previously found that ZEA led to www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget apoptosis of ovarian germ cells, altered gene expression and impaired the formation of primordial follicle in the newborn mouse [17]
We suspected that ZEA altered the development and steroidogenesis of ovarian granulosa cells, which in turn caused indirect effects on mammalian fertility
Summary
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a toxic compound produced by several species of Fusarium and causing mycotoxicosis in animals [1]. Because of its estrogenic activity, ZEA could cause reproductive disorders in domestic animals and estrogenic syndromes in humans [2]. After a single oral administration, ZEA is rapidly absorbed and metabolized in vivo. The absorption of ZEA in swine was estimated to be 80 - 85 % following administration of an oral dose of 10 mg/kg bodyweight [3]. ZEA and its derivatives act to 17β-estradiol (E2) in inhibiting the secretion and release of steroid hormones, disrupting endogenous estrogenic response during the preovulatory stage and depressing the maturation of ovarian follicles [8]. Changes in the estrous cycle, induced by ZEA, depend on the dose and time of administration [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
