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1401197 
Journal Article 
Transgenerational toxicity of Zearalenone in pigs 
Schoevers, EJ; Santos, RR; Colenbrander, B; Fink-Gremmels, J; Roelen, BA 
2012 
1 
Reproductive Toxicology
ISSN: 0890-6238
EISSN: 1873-1708 
Elsevier B.V., Box 882 New York NY 10159 United States 
United States 
34 
1 
110-119 
English 
22484360 
WOS:000305303600015 
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin that can be a contaminant of food and feed commodities. ZEN acts as a xenoestrogen and is considered an endocrine disruptor. Since estrogens influence oogenesis during fetal growth, the effect of ZEN on oocytes was investigated in the F1-generation. Pregnant and lactating pigs were exposed to feed naturally contaminated with ZEN (200, 500 and 1000μg/kg feed). Ovaries of F1-animals were examined for follicle development, expression of estrogen converting enzymes and estrogen receptors, and oocyte quality. In F1-newborns, ZEN did not affect follicle dynamics, but follicle integrity decreased with increasing ZEN concentrations. Expression of estrogen receptor beta mRNA increased following ZEN exposure, whereas expression of genes coding for estrogen converting enzymes remained unchanged. In F1-prepubertal gilts, follicular atresia and oocyte maturation with subsequent embryo development remained unchanged. In conclusion, ZEN reduced the quantity of healthy follicles, which may lead to premature oocyte depletion in adulthood. 
Mycotoxin; Zearalenone; Ovary; Folliculogenesis; Oocyte