Prevention of Zearalenone-Induced Hyperestrogenism in Prepubertal Mice

Previous methods for the control of zearalenone (ZEN)-induced hyperestrogenism in animals have proven largely ineffective. The main objective in this study was to identify an enterosorbent that decreases the dietary bioavailability, and subsequent estrogenic effects, of ZEN. Initial in vitro screenings in aqueous solution (4 μg ZEN/ml) indicated that an activated carbon (AC) was the most efficient sorbent (99%), followed by a combination of 2 parts AC plus 3 parts HEC (hectorite) (69%), cetylpyridinium-exchanged low-pH montmorillonite (CP-LPHM) clay (58%), hexadecyltrimethylammonium-exchanged low-pH montmorillonite (HDTMA-LPHM) clay (54%), and HEC alone (28%). Results from the adult hydra bioassay suggested that the addition of either AC or HEC effectively decreased the effects of ZEN on Hydra attenuata without toxicity, as was observed with the use of either CP-LPHM or HDTMA-LPHM. Based on these results, AC, HEC, and 2AC:3HEC were evaluated in prepubertal mice. At a dietary inclusion level of 0.8% (w/w),...