Zearalenone disturbs the reproductive-immune axis in pigs: the role of gut microbial metabolites

Abstract

Highlights I. Zearalenone directly and/or indirectly disturbs immune defense in the reproductive-immune axis; II. Zearalenone-induced toxicity on the reproductive-immune axis is accompanied by systemic inflammation caused by altered gut microbial metabolites (e.g., decreased butyrate, and increased lipopolysaccharides); III. Targeting these gut microbial metabolites counteracts Zearalenone-induced toxicity on the gut-reproductive-immune axis. Video Abstract

Keywords

• Mycotoxin
• Mycoestrogen
• Zearalenone
• Butyrate
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Immunity