Zearalenone and reproductive function in farm animals.
Farm animals are exposed to zearalenone through the feed because of the widespread occurrence of this mycotoxin in cereals and clinical reproductive disorders due to mycotoxin effects are often reported in farm animal species. This review describes the metabolism, the mechanistic aspects, the clinical reproductive symptoms and the in vitro effects on functional parameters of oocytes and sperm cells induced by zearalenone and its derivatives in farm animals. The studies on in vitro effects allow to understand the action mechanisms of mycotoxins and, sometime, to explain the in vivo symptoms. The impairment of semen quality and female reproductive function induced by zearalenone could be a factor responsible for the reproductive failure in farm animals.
Minervini
Fiorenza
F
Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR)/ Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70125 Bari, Italy.
Dell'Aquila
Maria Elena
ME
Department of Animal Production, University of Bari / Strada Provinciale Casamassima Km3, 70100 Valenzano, Italy.