Table 1.
Phytoestrogens and Mycotoxins-Induced Effects In Model Animals Across Generations.
| Species | Sex | Exposure | Dose | Effects across Generations | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse | Male | Genistein Two weeks before delivery. After weaning up to PND 35. |
40 mg/kg BW */day 800 mg/kg BW/day |
F1: increased serum testosterone levels (40 mg/kg); increased testis weight (40 mg/kg); decreased testis weight (800 mg/kg); higher diameter of seminiferous tubules (40 mg/kg); increased heights of seminiferous epithelium (40 mg/kg day); smaller diameter of seminiferous tubules (800 mg/kg); increased ESR2, CYP19A1 (all doses), SOX9 and BRD7 (40 mg/kg) mRNA expression in the testis; decreased SOX9 and BRD7 mRNA expression (800 mg/kg) in the testis; increased number of apoptotic germ cells (800 mg/kg); abnormal sperm (800 mg/kg) | [88] |
| Rat | Male | Genistein from E1 to PND 21 |
1 mg/kg BW/day | F1: increased expression of Daz in the testis F2: increased expression of Stra8, Spo11 and Sycp3; decreased expression of Fas in the testis; decreased expression of Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1 in the testis |
[89] |
| Rat | Female | Zearalenone From E0 to 21 |
5, 10, and 20 mg/kg | F1: increase of follicle-stimulating hormone concentration (10 and 20 mg/kg); estradiol decrease (10 and 20 mg/kg); follicular atresia (20 mg/kg); thin uterine layer (20 mg/kg); reduced expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (10 and 20 mg/kg) in the placenta; reduced expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (10 and 20 mg/kg) in the placenta | [90] |
| Mouse | Male | Zearalenone From E12.5 to E18.5 |
20 µg/kg BW/day 40 µg/kg BW/day | F1: decreased sperm motility; decreased sperm concentration (all doses); reduced testis weight (all doses); percentage alteration in the of cells at different stages of meiosis (increased percentage of leptotene cells; decreased percentage of diplotene cells; all doses); reduction of 5hmC (all doses) in the testis; increased percentage of H3K27me3-positive spermatogonial cells (all doses); increased expression of H3K9 in the testis; increased expression of G9a in the testis; reduced percentage of ERα-positive Leydig cells (all doses) | [91] |
| Mouse | Male | Zearalenone From E1 a E18 |
2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg BW/day | F1: abnormal vacuole structures; testes loose connections (all doses); decreased semen quality (all doses); decreased sperm count (all doses); decreased testosterone levels (all doses) | [92] |
* BW: body weight.