In vitro effects of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone major metabolites alone and combined, on cell proliferation, steroid production and gene expression in bovine small-follicle granulosa cells

The effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) on reproduction in ruminants are unclear. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of DON and ZEA hydroxylated metabolites, alpha-zearalenol (alpha-Zol) and beta-zearalenone (beta-Zol), on cell proliferation, steroidogenesis and gene expression using bovine granulosa cells (GC). Cell proliferation was negatively affected after exposure to beta-Zol at 31 mu M and after exposure to alpha-Zol (3.1 mu M) alone and combined with DON (3.3 mu M). DON and alpha-Zol decreased steroidogenesis, while beta-Zol at high concentration had stimulatory effects. DON and alpha-Zol increased CYP19A1 mRNA abundance. CYP11A1 mRNA abundance was stimulated by DON, alone and combined with alpha-Zol and beta-Zol, whereas was inhibited by beta-Zol alone. Generally mycotoxins effects on cell proliferation, steroidogenesis and gene expression were influenced by the presence or absence of IGF1. In conclusion DON and ZEA metabolites may impair in vitro cell proliferation, steroid production and gene expression in cattle. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.