Effects of purified zearalenone on growth performance, organ size, serum metabolites, and oxidative stress in postweaning gilts1

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEA), an estrogenic mycotoxin, is produced mainly by Fusarium fungi. Previous studies indicated that acute ZEA exposure induced oxidative stress and damage in multiple organs. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the adverse effects of dietary ZEA (1.1 to 3.2 mg/kg of diet) on oxidative stress and organ damage in postweaning gilts. A total of 20 gilts (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) weaned at d 21 with an average BW of 10.36 ± 1.21 kg was used in the study. Gilts were housed in a temperature-controlled room, divided into 4 treatments, and fed a basal diet only (control) or basal diet supplemented with purified ZEA at a dietary concentration of 1 (ZEA1), 2 (ZEA2), or 3 (ZEA3) mg/kg of diet for 18 d ad libitum. The actual ZEA contents (analyzed) were 0, 1.1 ± 0.02, 2.0 ± 0.01, and 3.2 ± 0.02 mg/kg for control, ZEA1, ZEA2, and ZEA3, respectively. Gilts fed different amounts of dietary ZEA grew similarly with no difference (P > 0.05) in feed intake. Vulva size increased linearly over the 18 d of feeding in gilts fed diets containing 1.1 mg of ZEA/kg or greater (P < 0.001). Relative weight of genital organs, liver, and kidney increased linearly (P < 0.05) in a ZEA-dose-dependent manner. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamate transferase, urea, and creatinine (P < 0.05), and malondialdehyde concentrations in both serum and liver (P < 0.001) were also increased linearly in a ZEA-dose-dependent manner. However, spleen relative weight (P = 0.002) and activities of total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (in both serum and liver (P < 0.05) were decreased linearly as dietary ZEA increased. Results showed that besides genital organs, the liver, kidney, and spleen may also be target tissues in young gilts fed diets containing 1.1 to 3.2 mg of ZEA/kg for 18 d. Increased key liver enzymes in the serum suggest progressive liver damage caused by feeding ZEA, and an increase in oxidative stress in gilts is another potential impact of ZEA toxicity in pigs.

Lycopene protects against acute zearalenone-induced oxidative, endocrine, inflammatory and reproductive damages in male mice

“…Therefore, these interleukins at pathological concentrations in the testis may injure the seminiferous epithelium, elevate the sensitivity and trigger some inflammation [49]. In accordance with the present findings, previous studies showed that exposure to ZEA also induced an intense inflammatory reaction as manifested [43][44][45]. These effects may help explain that the testicular immune structure could be disturbed by mycotoxins, such as ZEA.…”

“…The role of GST, as the phase II biotransformation enzyme in metabolic degradation of ZEA, has already been documented [8,9,14]. Supporting our findings, it was suggested that the depletion of antioxidants induced by ZEA could also be one of the reasons for increased oxidative stress in the testes and modifications of endocrine and reproductive parameters [17,45]. In contrast, our results revealed that lycopene treatment minimized the deleterious effects of ZEA on both testicular tissues and blood, such as the rise in testicular enzymes (GST, GPx and GR), testosterone and GSH levels and modulation of interleukins.…”

Hepatotoxic effects of mycotoxin combinations in mice

“…Increased relative liver weight in swine associated with DON feeding has also been reported by Bergsjø et al (1993). Although exposure to AFB1 and ZEA can increase relative liver weight (Jiang et al, 2011;Yarru et al, 2009), either individual or combination of AFB1 and ZEA did not affect the relative liver weight in our study. The similar divergences in body weight have also been shown when compared to other studies (Bergsjø et al, 1993;Jiang et al, 2011;Yarru et al, 2009).…”

Evaluation of a short-term ingestion of zearalenone, fumonisin, and aflatoxin mixture incorporated, at low concentration, into the diet of weanling piglets and the effect of an anti-mycotoxin feed additive

“…Mycotoxins are reported to promote liver lesions, which can change liver enzymes and protein serum concentration in piglets (THIEU et al, 2008;JIANG et al, 2011). In our study, dietary exposure to ZEA, FB, and AF, at the tested levels, did not change the activity of the AST, GGT, or ALP enzymes (Table 2).…”

“…One typical signal in female piglets is the enlargement of the reproductive tract (JIANG et al, 2010b(JIANG et al, , 2011WANG et al, 2012). Alterations from the treatments on relative weights of reproductive tract (Table 2) was not detected.…”