Comparative analysis of the detrimental in vitro effects of three fusariotoxins on the selected structural and functional characteristics of rabbit spermatozoa

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the in vitro effects of 1–50 μM zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 toxin (T-2) on rabbit spermatozoa for as much as 8 h of in vitro exposure. Our results indicate that all sperm quality parameters were negatively affected by these fusariotoxins in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The most prominent structure affected by ZEA was the plasma membrane, exhibiting alterations consistent with the onset of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. This correlated with the most prominent decline of the sperm motility among all selected fusariotoxins. Significant necrotic changes and mitochondrial dysfunction were primarily responsible for the sperm damage in the presence of T-2. Finally, exposure of spermatozoa to DON led to a significant decrease in the DNA integrity. This study may provide new information on the specific mechanisms of action involved in the in vitro toxic behavior of fusariotoxins on male gametes.

Keywords:

• Zearalenone
• deoxynivalenol
• T-2 toxin
• spermatozoa
• toxicity
• rabbits
• fusariotoxins

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency Grants no. APVV-0304–12 and APVV-15–0544, as well as the European Community under the project no. 26220220180: Building Research Center “AgroBioTech” and the Center for Animal Reproduction (CeRA) Team of Excellence.