title: Factors determining sensitivity of prepubertal gilts to hormonal influence of zearalenone.
abstract: Among large husbandry animals, swine are the most predisposed to zearalenone (ZEA) intoxication, mainly because cereal is an important component of their diet. Studies performed so far (in vivo, in vitro) suggest that ZEA and its metabolites, which may appear due to ZEA biotransformation (especially alpha-zearalenole; alpha-ZOL), can modify signaling cascades of endogenous sex steroids, through either receptor or non-receptor mechanisms. Of all age groups of swine, immature gilts are particularly predisposed to zearalenone intoxication, as manifested by the occurrence of genital tract tissue dysfunction on exposure to ZEA. The intensity of the adverse effects observed at either systemic or local level in gilts, when compared to sexually mature swine females, suggest that specific age-dependent physiological conditions may exist, which determine the high sensitivity of gilts to exogenous estrogen-like compounds, including ZEA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Veterinary Prophylaxis and Feed Hygiene, Department of Veterinary Health Protection, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland. ewa.jakimiuk@uwm.edu.pl
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jakimiuk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gajecka
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jana
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brzuzan
authors.forename: Ł
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Zielonka
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skorska-Wyszyńska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gajecki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015025:Zearalenone