The Effects of Zearalenone on the Localization and Expression of Reproductive Hormones in the Ovaries of Weaned Gilts.

Boyang Wan,Faxiao Liu,Yang Li,Zaibin Yang,Xuejun Yuan,Ning Jiao,Weiren Yang,Shuzhen Jiang,Libo Huang,Mei Liu

doi:10.3390/toxins13090626

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https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13090626

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Journal: Toxins	Publication Date: Sep 7, 2021
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Shandong Agricultural University

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This study aims to investigate the effects of zearalenone (ZEA) on the localizations and expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) in the ovaries of weaned gilts. Twenty 42-day-old weaned gilts were randomly allocated into two groups, and treated with a control diet and a ZEA-contaminated diet (ZEA 1.04 mg/kg), respectively. After 7-day adjustment, gilts were fed individually for 35 days and euthanized for blood and ovarian samples collection before morning feeding on the 36th day. Serum hormones of E2, PRG, FSH, LH and GnRH were determined using radioimmunoassay kits. The ovaries were collected for relative mRNA and protein expression, and immunohistochemical analysis of FSHR, LHR, GnRH and GnRHR. The results revealed that ZEA exposure significantly increased the final vulva area (p < 0.05), significantly elevated the serum concentrations of estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone and GnRH (p < 0.05), and markedly up-regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of FSHR, LHR, GnRH and GnRHR (p < 0.05). Besides, the results of immunohistochemistry showed that the immunoreactive substances of ovarian FSHR, LHR, GnRH and GnRHR in the gilts fed the ZEA-contaminated diet were stronger than the gilts fed the control diet. Our findings indicated that dietary ZEA (1.04 mg/kg) could cause follicular proliferation by interfering with the localization and expression of FSHR, LHR, GnRH and GnRHR, and then affect the follicular development of weaned gilts.

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Many toxigenic species of Fusarium are the main pathogens of cereal plants, causing head blight in wheat and barley and ear rot in maize
Key Contribution: The results showed that ZEA up-regulated the expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), and promoted the serum E2, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and GnRH, and affected the ovaries of weaned gilts
There is a lot of evidence that cereals and animals all over the world are polluted by Fusarium mycotoxins, especially ZEA

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Many toxigenic species of Fusarium are the main pathogens of cereal plants, causing head blight in wheat and barley and ear rot in maize. There is a lot of evidence that cereals and animals all over the world are polluted by Fusarium mycotoxins, especially ZEA. The trade in these commodities may contribute to the spread of this mycotoxin around the world [1,2]. ZEA can interfere with hormone metabolism by binding with estrogen receptors, and thereby cause reproductive disorders [7,8]. During the early ovarian development of piglets, the oocytes developed in the follicles are very vulnerable to the intake of nutrients and environmental estrogens. The intake of nutrients and environmental estrogens affect the level of hormone metabolism, changing the ovarian function [10]. Studies have shown that long-term intake of dietary ZEA can result in swelling of reproductive organs, reproductive disruption, abortion and reduction in litter size [11,12]

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