Veterinarska stanica, Vol. 48 No. 2, 2017.
Review article
Oestrogen effects of zearelenon in farm animals and risks for human and animal health
Marko Samardžija
orcid.org/0000-0003-0402-3173
; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Hrvatska
Ana Jeličić
; Hrvatska
Mario Mitak
; Hrvatski veterinarski institut Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jelka Pleadin
; Hrvatski veterinarski institut Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Zearalenon is a mycotoxin that is a metabolite of mould from the genus Fusarium. This mycotoxin in most frequently present in grains and grain products in human consumption and in animal diets, which are very suitable as a culture medium for the development of mycotoxin-producing moulds. The exposure of farm animals to zearelenon leads to urogenital disorders, while stronger acute or chronic poisonings may cause permanent damage to organs of the reproductive system, such as degenerative testicle changes, ovarian atrophy, sterility and abortion. Contamination of food of animal origin (primarily milk and meat) with Fusarium mycotoxins is low if farm animals were fed feed containing these mycotoxins, and thus these foodstuffs do not represent a significant threat to human health. However, a significant problem could be the transfer of zearalenon and its metabolites into foods of animal origin and the synergy effect of several different mycotoxins and numerous metabolites in the organism, which by their chemical structure resemble oestrogen hormones, Their incidence in feed of plant origin frequently consumed by consumers is also a concern. To avoid the negative effects of zearelenon and other Fusarium mycotoxins on animal and human health, it is necessary to prevent growth of moulds, and to ensure systematic control of mycotoxins in feed and food. However, if contamination occurs, it is necessary to apply efficient methods of detoxification and decontamination of raw materials and products.
Keywords
grains; mycotoxins; zearalenon; contamination; oestrogenic effects; food and animal feed
Hrčak ID:
222017
URI
Publication date:
16.3.2017.
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