The Effects of Mycotoxins on Reproductive Physiology and Other Health in Animals and Humans

A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Mycotoxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 162

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: mycotoxin; biomonitoring; pathophysiology; gynecological endocrine diseases

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Guest Editor
Agrobiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Godollo, Hungary
Interests: mycotoxins; exposure; immunoassay; the effect of pollutants on reproductive functions in organisms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mycotoxins, which are pervasive contaminants in food and feed, represent significant yet frequently underestimated threats to reproductive health in various species. Beyond their reproductive toxicity, these metabolites also contribute to a range of other human and animal diseases, including immunosuppression, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and carcinogenesis. For instance, aflatoxins are well-known hepatocarcinogens, while ochratoxin A is associated with kidney dysfunction and tumors. Fumonisins have been linked to esophageal cancer and neural tube defects in humans, as well as leukoencephalomalacia in horses. These multifaceted health impacts underscore the broader public and veterinary health significance of mycotoxin exposure.

This Special Issue, titled "The Effects of Mycotoxins on Reproductive Physiology and Other Health in Animals and Humans," aims to consolidate current research and address critical gaps in our understanding of how these compounds disrupt reproductive functions and health in animals and humans. Despite the growing body of evidence, the precise mechanisms, dose–response relationships, and long-term consequences of mycotoxin exposure in relation to fertility, gamete quality, embryonic development, organs, organ and tissue systems, and endocrine systems remain to be fully elucidated.

We invite original research, comprehensive reviews, and insightful perspectives that explore all facets of mycotoxin-induced toxicity. The scope of this Special Issue encompasses various mycotoxin types (e.g., aflatoxins, zearalenone, ochratoxins, and fumonisins), their impact on male and female reproductive systems, and their effects across different animal models and human populations. Contributions exploring molecular pathways, epigenetic modifications, diagnostic methods, and innovative mitigation strategies are particularly encouraged. By fostering a more profound understanding of these compounds, this Special Issue seeks to mobilize efforts to safeguard reproductive and other health against mycotoxin challenges.

Dr. Levente Sára
Dr. Zsuzsanna Szőke
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mycotoxins
  • reproductive physiology
  • fertility
  • endocrine disruption
  • toxicology
  • aflatoxins
  • zearalenone
  • food safety
  • animal health
  • public health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 1624 KB  
Article
Mycotoxin-Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Impact on Human Folliculogenesis: Examining the Link to Reproductive Health
by Zsuzsanna Szőke, Eszter Ruff, Patrik Plank, Zsófia Molnár, Lili Hruby, Apolka Szentirmay, Márkó Unicsovics, Bernadett Csókay, Katalin Varga, Tímea Buzder, Miklós Sipos, Katalin Sára-Popovics, Dóra Holéci, Katalin Posta and Levente Sára
Toxins 2025, 17(12), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17120574 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 244
Abstract
Climate change has contributed to increased mycotoxin contamination in food systems, posing a growing threat to human health, including reproductive health. Our study aimed to investigate how mycotoxins entering the follicular fluid affect oxidative stress processes. We analyzed 88 follicular fluid samples from [...] Read more.
Climate change has contributed to increased mycotoxin contamination in food systems, posing a growing threat to human health, including reproductive health. Our study aimed to investigate how mycotoxins entering the follicular fluid affect oxidative stress processes. We analyzed 88 follicular fluid samples from infertile patients for common mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), its main metabolite alpha-zearalenol (aZOL), and aflatoxin M1 (AfM1), and examined their relationship with oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, GPx, CAT, and TAOC) and hormones (cortisol, estradiol, and anti-Müllerian hormone). Higher mycotoxin levels were associated with increased oxidative stress, particularly elevated MDA levels, and disrupted antioxidant enzyme activity. Notably, DON showed a positive correlation with SOD and estradiol levels, indicating a compensatory antioxidant response, while AfM1 served as a negative predictor. The metabolite aZOL was strongly linked to cortisol, with effects influenced by estradiol levels, implying endocrine-disrupting activity. Importantly, the interaction between DON and AMH appeared to impact dominant follicle development, suggesting a potential mechanism by which environmental toxins impair fertility without directly reducing oocyte or embryo counts. These results highlight the complex, dose-dependent effects of mycotoxins on oxidative and hormonal balances within the follicular environment, with implications for oocyte quality and reproductive success. Better understanding these mechanisms could help develop early diagnostic markers and targeted interventions to improve fertility outcomes in women exposed to changing environmental conditions. Full article
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