Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of long-term (48 days), per os administration of specific zearalenone (ZEN) doses (20 and 40 μg ZEN/kg BW in experimental groups EI and EII, which were equivalent to 200% and 400% of the upper range limit of the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL), respectively) on the bioavailability of ZEN and the rate of changes in estradiol and testosterone concentrations in the peripheral blood of pre-pubertal gilts. ZEN and α-ZEL levels were similar until day 28. After day 28, α-ZEL concentrations increased significantly in group EI, whereas a significant rise in ZEN levels was noted in group EII. The presence of estradiol in peripheral blood plasma was not observed until day 20 of the experiment. Spontaneous secretion of estradiol was minimal, and it was determined at very low levels of up to 10 pg/mL in EI and EII groups. Testosterone concentrations ranged from 4 to 9 ng/mL in all groups. A decrease in the concentrations of both analyzed hormones was reported in the last stage of the experiment. The results of the experiment indicate that: (i) The bioavailability of ZEN in peripheral blood has low diagnostic value, (ii) exposure to low doses of ZEN induces minor changes in the concentrations of the analyzed hormones, which could lead to situational supraphysiological hormone levels and changes in endogenous hormonal balance.
Highlights
IntroductionThe majority of environmental estrogens (not all of them have toxic or contaminating effects) are endocrine disrupters (EDs) [1] which are commonly encountered in soil, air, water, food products, and animal feeds [2,3]
The majority of environmental estrogens are endocrine disrupters (EDs) [1] which are commonly encountered in soil, air, water, food products, and animal feeds [2,3]
Their presence was not observed in control group animals
Summary
The majority of environmental estrogens (not all of them have toxic or contaminating effects) are endocrine disrupters (EDs) [1] which are commonly encountered in soil, air, water, food products, and animal feeds [2,3]. Phytoestrogens (e.g., genistein and coumestrol) and mycoestrogens ZEN produced by moulds) [4,5] are natural EDs found in the environment. Zearalenone is a white crystalline compound with melting temperature of 164–165 ◦ C. This mycotoxin is insoluble in water, but it is soluble in alkaline solutions and organic solvents. Zearalenone remains stable during storage, grinding and processing, including thermal processing [4]
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