Fungi of the Fusarium species can infect food and feed commodities and produce the mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON). Since both toxins have been reported to reduce fertility, the mechanisms of ZEA and DON on inhibition of oocyte maturation were examined. Pig oocytes were matured in the presence of ZEA (a mycotoxin with estrogenlike activity), 17beta-estradiol, and DON (all 3.12 micromol/L). Zearalenone, 17beta-estradiol, and DON inhibited oocyte maturation and caused approximately 34% of the oocytes to form an aberrant spindle. Different ratios of ZEA:DON did not lead to a more severe inhibition of oocyte maturation. Both mycotoxins caused abnormal formation of the meiotic spindle. The developmental competence of oocytes matured in the presence of mycotoxins was further investigated after in vitro fertilization. Presence of ZEA (3.12 micromol/L) during maturation reduced the percentages of oocytes that cleaved and formed a blastocyst to about 12%, compared with 25% of control oocytes. Maturation in the presence of equimolar concentrations of DON was not compatible with development. The ploidy of blastomeres from blastocysts derived from mycotoxin-exposed oocytes was analyzed with fluorescent in situ hybridization. All blastocysts, even those from the control group, contained at least one blastomere with abnormal ploidy, but the variation in the percentages of aneuploid blastomeres was significantly larger in embryos from oocytes exposed to mycotoxins. It is concluded that ZEA and DON can lead to abnormal spindle formation, leading to less fertile oocytes and embryos with abnormal ploidy, and that the effects of ZEA and DON are not synergistic.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.107.062711 | DOI Listing |
Fungal Biol
December 2024
Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
For maize, a staple food in South Africa, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge on the mycotoxin-producing fungal diversity. In this study, a fungal community profile was established using culture-dependent methods for 56 maize seed samples that were also analysed for 13 mycotoxins. The fungal isolates were identified by morphology and DNA sequencing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
October 2024
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Corn-based breakfast cereals, known as cornflakes, have become a common breakfast choice worldwide, recognized for their convenience and versatility. However, mycotoxins can contaminate these products, adversely affecting human health. This study assessed the occurrence of major mycotoxins (AFB1, OTA, DON, ZEA, and FUM) in cornflake stock-keeping units (SKUs) marketed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Hazard Mater
December 2024
Agro-biological Gene Research Center of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, Guangzhou 510640, PR China. Electronic address:
Fusarium mycotoxins are of great concern because they are the most common food-borne mycotoxins and environmental contaminants worldwide. Fusaric acid (FA), Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin (T-2), and Fumonisin B1 (FB1) are important Fusarium toxins contaminating feeds and food and can cause serious health problems. FA can synergize with some other Fusarium toxins to enhance overall toxicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPoult Sci
December 2024
U.S. National Poultry Research Center, Toxicology & Mycotoxin Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens, GA 30605, USA.
Plants (Basel)
September 2024
Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
Returning straw to the field is a crucial practice for enhancing soil quality and increasing efficient use of secondary crop products. However, maize straw has a higher carbon-to-nitrogen ratio compared to other crops. This can result in crop nitrogen loss when the straw is returned to the field.
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