Zearalenone (ZEN) in Livestock and Poultry: Dose, Toxicokinetics, Toxicity and Estrogenicity

Abstract

One of the concerns when using grain ingredients in feed formulation for livestock and poultry diets is mycotoxin contamination. Aflatoxin, fumonisin, ochratoxin, trichothecene (deoxynivalenol, T-2 and HT-2) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins that have been frequently reported in animal feed. ZEN, which has raised additional concern due to its estrogenic response in animals, is mainly produced by Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum), F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. equiseti, F. crookwellense and F. semitectums, and often co-occurs with deoxynivalenol in grains. The commonly elaborated derivatives of ZEN are α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, zearalanone, α-zearalanol, and β-zearalanol. Other modified and masked forms of ZEN (including the extractable conjugated and non-extractable bound derivatives of ZEN) have also been quantified. In this review, common dose of ZEN in animal feed was summarized. The absorption rate, distribution (“carry-over”), major metabolites, toxicity and estrogenicity of ZEN related to poultry, swine and ruminants are discussed.

Zearalenone and Metabolites in Livers of Turkey Poults and Broiler Chickens Fed with Diets Containing Fusariotoxins

“…As shown in this figure, α-ZAL, β-ZAL, and ZAN were not detected, and these analytes were never found in any of the samples. These results are in agreement with a review of the literature, which revealed that ZAN and ZALs have never been characterized in avian species [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…Because of the strong SSE, the low SNR, and the low RE observed for β-ZOL in liver with method 1, and because a review of the literature revealed that α-ZAL, β-ZAL, and ZAN are not reported as being formed in avian species, it was decided that method 2 would be used to quantify α-ZOL, β-ZOL, and ZEN, while method 1 would be used to detect the presence or absence of α-ZAL, β-ZAL, and ZAN [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…Surprisingly, although a TDI of ZEN has been established for human exposure, few data are available on the presence of ZEN and metabolites in tissues [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]. Because the conjugated forms of ZEN, ZAN, α-ZOL, β-ZOL, α-ZAL, and β-ZAL are not available as standards, most of the methods used to quantify ZEN and metabolites measure the conjugated forms after a step of enzymatic hydrolysis [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…This comparison was done to reveal whether a co-exposure to DON and FB, which are known for their effects on gut integrity, could change the amounts of ZEN and metabolites in tissues [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. The liver was the main organ studied as it is known to be a target organ in terms of residues, while the detection of ZEN and metabolites was also carried out in muscles not reported to be contaminated with these toxins [ 7 ]. Tissue samples were spiked with [ 13 C 18 ]-ZEN, purified on an IA column, and analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS.…”

“…Tissue samples were spiked with [ 13 C 18 ]-ZEN, purified on an IA column, and analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. As a result of the metabolism of ZEN in the avian species, accurate quantification of the free and conjugated forms of ZEN, α-ZOL, and β-ZOL and determination of the presence or absence of ZAN, α-ZAL, and β-ZAL were the key objectives of this analysis [ 6 , 7 ].…”