Zearalenone
Zearalenone
Zearalenone (pronounced: zee-uh-ral-uh-nohn) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by some Fusarium species.
Etymology
The term "Zearalenone" is derived from the fungus Zea mays from which it was first isolated, and the chemical structure which is similar to that of an estrogen known as estrone.
Definition
Zearalenone is a potent estrogenic metabolite synthesized by the Fusarium fungus, which is commonly found in a variety of crops, particularly in cereal crops. It is heat-stable and is found worldwide in a number of cereal crops, such as maize, barley, oats, wheat, rice, and sorghum.
Effects
Zearalenone has been implicated in numerous mycotoxicoses in farm animals, particularly pigs. It has been associated with hyperestrogenism, which can lead to infertility, abortion, and other breeding problems. In humans, it is suspected to be a contributing factor in the development of endometriosis and some types of cancer.
Related Terms
- Mycotoxin: A toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus kingdom.
- Estrogen: A group of steroid hormones that promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body.
- Fusarium: A large genus of filamentous fungi, part of a group often referred to as hyphomycetes, widely distributed in soil and associated with plants.
- Endometriosis: A disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that forms the lining of your uterus grows outside of your uterine cavity.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zearalenone
- Wikipedia's article - Zearalenone
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