title: Zearalenone impairs the male reproductive system functions via inducing structural and functional alterations of sertoli cells.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ZEA on the cytoskeletal structure, and factors specifically expressed by Sertoli cells. Primary Sertoli cells from rats aged 18-21 days were exposed to increasing ZEA concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20 μg mL(-1)) for 24 h. The results of immunofluorescence showed disruption of α-tubulin filaments and F-actin bundles, and damage to the nucleus of Sertoli cells on exposure to ZEA. In the control group, the protein level expression of androgen-binding protein (ABP), transferrin, vimentin, N-cadherin, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) were decreased significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01). The mRNA levels of ABP, transferrin, vimentin, N-cadherin, and FSHR varied significantly in the experimental group (p<0.05). The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated a significant decrease in the levels of inhibin-β and transferrin in the cultural supernatants (p<0.05). Additionally, the ultrastructural analysis indicated the absence of mitochondria and Golgi apparatus, and presence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm. These findings showed that ZEA treatment can damage the cytoskeletal structure and affect specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells, which may be an underlying cause of ZEA-induced reproductive toxicity.
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
authors: WangLong
authors: W
authors: Zheng
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
authors: ShunYe
authors: S
authors: Pan
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Guangguang
authors: G
authors: Wang
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Saybagh District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China.
authors: Ya Jun
authors: YJ
authors: Wang
authors: Jiaozuo Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of P.R. China, Jiaozuo 454001, Henan, China.
authors: Qing
authors: Q
authors: Liu
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
authors: JianHong
authors: J
authors: Gu
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Yuan
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Xue Zhong
authors: XZ
authors: Liu
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
authors: Zong Ping
authors: ZP
authors: Liu
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: jcbian@yzu.edu.cn.
authors: Jian Chun
authors: JC
authors: Bian
mesh_terms: D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000633:toxicity*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D015820:Cadherins; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D014746:Vimentin; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D015025:Zearalenone
keywords: Cytoskeletal structure; Secretory function; Sertoli cells; Zearalenone