Individual and combined effects of deoxynivalenol and α-zearalenol on cell proliferation and steroidogenesis of granulosa cells in cattle

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) metabolite, \u3b1-zearalenol (\u3b1-Zol), on cell proliferation and steroidogenesis of bovine large (LG) follicle granulosa cells (GC). LGGC were obtained from bovine ovarian follicles (8-22 mm) and were cultured for 2 days in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum followed by 1 or 2 days in serum-free medium without (control) or with treatments. Three different experiments were performed using different dosages of DON and \u3b1-Zol and in different combinations and a fourth experiment evaluated estradiol effects on granulosa cell proliferation. DON inhibited progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) production at high dose. \u3b1-Zol alone and in combination with DON increased cell growth. Estradiol inhibited cell growth indicating \u3b1-Zol is not acting as an estrogen agonist. This study demonstrates that \u3b1-Zol and DON can impact in vitro GC function, however further studies will be required to better understand the mechanism of action and reproductive effects of Fusarium mycotoxins

Direct effects of the algal toxin, domoic acid, on ovarian function : bovine granulosa and theca cells as an in vitro model

Domoic acid (DA) is a potent neurotoxin produced by alga Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and has been associated with reproductive disorders in mammals. The aim of this study was to investigate if DA can affect the reproductive system via direct action on ovarian function. Bovine granulosa and theca cells were used as in vitro models for evaluating DA effects on ovarian cell proliferation and steroid production. In small-follicle granulosa cells (SMGC), cell proliferation and estradiol (E2) production was not affected (P>0.05) while progesterone (P4) production was inhibited (P0.05) on cell proliferation or P4 production while E2 production was stimulated by 1 and 5\ub5g/ml DA (P0.10) on E2 production. Collectively, these results show for the first time that DA has direct effects on ovarian GC and TC steroidogenesis. Because DA inhibited E2 and P4 production, DA has the potential to be an endocrine disruptor