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Genotoxic evaluation for the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone
A El-Makawy1, M S Hassanane, E S Abd Alla
1Cell Biology Department, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract:
Genotoxic effects of the mycotoxin Zearalenone (ZEN) were evaluated on albino mice. The investigation was assessed using 4 criteria: chromosome aberrations in bone marrow and spermatocytes of adult male mice; chromosome analysis and teratological effects of mice embryos. Zearalenone was administrated to both adult males and pregnant females with 2 doses level (5 microg x kg(-1) and 10 microg x kg(-1) ZEN). Zearalenone was found to reduce the mitotic activity in treated males and the embryos proving that it is a cytotoxic substance. In treated males and females, it induced some chromosome abnormalities with no significant increase over the control at the doses investigated, except for some few figures. Similar results were observed for the teratological study. The results in general could consider zearalenone as a toxic mycotoxin for both adult animals and embryos. It is highly recommended that a great attention should be paid towards the toxicity of zearalenone to mono-gastric animals and human, especially it contaminate corn that is widely used in human and animal feeding.
Insights
The mycotoxin Zearalenone (ZEN) showed cytotoxic effects in mice, reducing mitotic activity and causing some chromosome abnormalities in adults and embryos. Further research into ZEN toxicity is recommended, especially concerning contaminated corn.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Animal Science
Background:
- Mycotoxins, such as Zearalenone (ZEN), are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi.
- ZEN is a common contaminant of grains like corn, posing risks to animal and human health.
- Understanding the genotoxic potential of ZEN is crucial for food safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the genotoxic effects of Zearalenone (ZEN) on albino mice.
- To assess ZEN's impact on chromosome aberrations and teratological outcomes in mice.
- To determine ZEN's cytotoxic potential in adult mice and their embryos.
Main Methods:
- Administration of ZEN (5 and 10 microg/kg) to adult male mice and pregnant females.
- Analysis of chromosome aberrations in bone marrow and spermatocytes.
- Evaluation of chromosome analysis and teratological effects in mouse embryos.
Main Results:
- Zearalenone (ZEN) significantly reduced mitotic activity in treated adult male mice and embryos, indicating cytotoxicity.
- ZEN induced some chromosome abnormalities in treated male and female mice and in embryos, though not always significantly above control levels.
- Teratological studies showed similar results, with ZEN exhibiting toxic effects on embryonic development.
Conclusions:
- Zearalenone (ZEN) is a toxic mycotoxin with demonstrated cytotoxic effects on both adult mice and their embryos.
- ZEN can induce genotoxic effects, including chromosome abnormalities, at the tested doses.
- Given ZEN's prevalence in animal feed and human food, careful attention to its toxicity is warranted.