Exposure to mycotoxins – a broad group of harmful substances produced by mold – during pregnancy may impact placental function, which could result in lower birthweight in humans, according to Rutgers Health researchers. One such mycotoxin is zearalenone, a compound with estrogen-like activity. Zearalenone, more specifically classified as a mycoestrogen, contaminates food sources, as its synthetic form is given to livestock in the United States to promote metabolic growth. Because it mimics estrogen, a hormone critical to pregnancy and fetal development, zearalenone may interfere with crucial biological processes during gestation.
Zearalenone is an emerging and understudied environmental health concern that enters the body through food and diet – and it has been detected in humans around the world, the researchers said. Their study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, investigated the presence of these compounds in pregnant individuals and assessed whether genetic differences influence their impact on fetal development. The researchers said it is the first study to examine prenatal exposure to mycoestrogens in relation to placental and birth outcomes.
“Our findings emphasize the need for greater awareness of mycoestrogen exposure and its potential impact on maternal and fetal health,” said Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and lead author of the study. “This research underscores the importance of considering genetic factors when evaluating environmental exposures and their health effects.” To read the full story.