Zearalenone-13C18is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of zearalenone by GC- or LC-MS. Zearalenone is a mycotoxin that has been found inFusariumand has estrogenic activities.1It binds to human estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ (IC50s = 9 and 5.8 nM, respectively).2Zearalenone induces precocious development of mammary tissues in young female pigs and prepucial enlargement in young male pigs.3Zearalenone (1.5-5 mg kg of diet) induces hyperestrogenism in pigs. It also induces degeneration of meiotic chromatin in oocytes and reduces fertility in pigs when administered at a dose of 200 μg kg.4Zearalenone has been found as a contaminant in wheat, maize, and barley and livestock feeds.3,4
Beta-Zearalenol, a derivative of zearalenone (ZEA) capable of conjugating with glucuronic acid[2], is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp. It induces apoptosis and oxidative stress in mammalian reproductive cells[1].