May 05, 2022

Interpretive Summary:Zearalenone promotes follicle development through activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway in the ovaries of weaned gilts

Interpretive Summary:Zearalenone promotes follicle development through activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway in the ovaries of weaned gilts

By: Boyang Wan, Libo Huang, Changwei Jing, Yang Li, Ning Jiao, Ming Liang, Shuzhen Jiang, and Weiren Yang

Zearalenone (ZEA), an estrogenic fusariotoxin, existing in various grains and feedstuffs, could disrupt the endocrine and reproductive systems. However, the underlying mechanisms of ZEA-induced follicular development have not been fully elucidated. This study was to explore the effects and the possible molecular mechanisms of ZEA on follicular development. A total of 32 female weaned piglets were randomly allotted to a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.15, 1.5, or 3.0 mg/kg ZEA for a 32-d feeding test. The results showed that dietary ZEA increased the vulva area and serum toxin levels, and accelerated follicle development. Moreover, 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg ZEA changed the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and activated the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α) signaling pathway. Meanwhile, ZEA could promote follicle development by regulating PCNA expression through activation of the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. The very significant contribution was that the proliferated follicles significantly increased with the increasing ZEA concentration when the ZEA in the diet was less than 1.5 mg/kg; however, atretic follicles significantly increased when the ZEA in the diet was 3.0 mg/kg. This study provides a theoretical basis for finding the therapeutic target of ZEA-induced reproductive disorders in weaned gilts.

Read the full article on the Journal of Animal Science.