ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Vet. Sci.
Sec. Animal Reproduction - Theriogenology
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1587391
Melatonin Ameliorates Zearalenone-Induced Ovarian Damage in Mice through Antioxidative Effects
Provisionally accepted
Yi Song1
Zhong Guo2
Lei Song2Xiu Jian Ma2Fang Zhi Zhao2Qing Yan Ma2Yue Xiao Ma2Jie Wen Jiang2Jing Wan Wang2Ran Chong Liu2Tong Tong Wei2Ling Fu2Li Zheng Qi2Jin Zhao1*- 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
- 2Medical College of Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, China
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Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin synthesized by fungi of the Fusarium genus, frequently identified in contaminated grains, foodstuffs, and animal-derived products. Its estrogenic activity perturbs endocrine homeostasis, resulting in reproductive dysfunction in female animals. Oxidative stress is implicated in DNA damage, notably double-strand breaks (DSBs). The Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) protein serves as a pivotal regulator of the DNA damage response (DDR). Upon the occurrence of DSBs, the ATM-Chk2-p53 signaling cascade is activated, triggering mechanisms such as DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, or senescence. Melatonin (MT), an endogenous antioxidant, facilitates the development of oocytes and granulosa cells by scavenging reactive oxygen species, regulating the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), modulating estradiol (E2) levels, and mitigating oxidative stress. This study examined the deleterious effects of ZEN on mouse ovarian tissue and granulosa cells (GRM02) and investigated the potential ameliorative role of MT in counteracting ZEN-induced oxidative stress, thereby enhancing ovarian function and diminishing cellular damage.Furthermore, the study investigated the involvement of the ATM-Chk2-p53 pathway in the protective mechanism of melatonin (MT). The results elucidate the reproductive toxicity of zearalenone (ZEN) and offer a theoretical foundation for the application of MT as a protective feed additive.
Keywords: Melatonin, Zearalenone, Ovarian, ATM-Chk2-P53 signaling pathway, γH2AX, Oxidative Stress
Received: 22 Mar 2025; Accepted: 02 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Song, Guo, Song, Ma, Zhao, Ma, Ma, Jiang, Wang, Liu, Wei, Fu, Qi and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Jin Zhao, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
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