Mycotoxins in foods and feeds 3-zearalenone

الملخص EN

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin occurring in corn, wheat, barley, sorghum and oats as well as other foods and feeds; when these substrates especially corn have contaminated by zearalenone producing fungi.

It is produced by numerous species and subspecies of Fusarium in the presence of high humidity and low temperatures (10-15°C).

Zearalenone is suspected to cause human disease, including premature puberty syndrome, as well as hyperestrogenism in farm animals.

Swine are the most sensitive of large domestic animals and most frequently affected on the farm.

Cattle and sheep seem to be more resistant to ZEN toxicity.

High concentration of ZEN in feeds of cattle have been associated with infertility, enlargement of the mammary gland, reduced milk production, vaginitis and vaginal secretions especially in immature dairy heifers.

In gilts, there are swelling of the vulva, vaginal prolapse, enlargement of the uterus, enlargement of the mammary gland, infertility, embryonic death and reduced litter size.

While, in young boars the effects include testicular atrophy, swollen prepuce, mammary gland enlargement and decreased libido.

Poultry species are found to be less susceptible to the estrogenic effects of ZEN.

A possible effect on the health of turkeys and young chicks may include vent enlargement and secondary sex characteristics, when very large concentrations are fed.