Reproductive Toxicity Caused by Zearalenone on Animals and Its Possible Interventions

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin that is usually found in moldy grains. ZEN causes reproductive toxicity to domestic animals by interfering with follicular and embryonic development, reducing sperm vitality and destroying the homeostasis of endogenous hormones, leading to reproductive system diseases such as abortion, ovarian dysfunction and stillbirth. The reproductive damage caused by zearalenone is mainly attributed to the factors as follows: (1) interaction with estrogen receptor; (2) induction of oxidative stress; (3) induction of apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy and iron prolapse and (4) interference with cell replication cycle. Natural compounds and micro-nutrients have the potential to alleviate the oxidative stress caused by ZEN. In addition, some microorganisms and enzymes have also shown good detoxification effects. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the damage caused by ZEN on animal gamete development and embryonic development, its molecular mechanisms and suggested some potential mitigation measures for the prevention of ZEN-induced toxicity to provide information for preventing toxicity associated with ZEN as well as serve as a foundation for further development of drug candidates for the treatment of ZEN induced damage.