zearalenone

Zearalenone (F2 toxin) is a mycotoxin produced mainly by fungi belonging to the genus Fusarium in foods and feeds. Possess oestrogenic activity in cattle, pigs and sheep, with low acute toxicity. Causes precocious development of mammae and other estrogenic effects in young gilts.

Zearalenone is a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, which colonizes several grains.

Beta-Zearalenol, a derivative of zearalenone (ZEA) capable of conjugating with glucuronic acid[2], is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp. It induces apoptosis and oxidative stress in mammalian reproductive cells[1].

α-Zearalenol is one of the major metabolites of Zearalenone. α-Zearalenol has structural analogy to estrogen, thus α-Zearalenol can bind to estrogen receptors (ERs).