ArticleJournal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology2025
Sociodemographic and dietary predictors of maternal and placental mycoestrogen concentrations in a US pregnancy cohort.
Article in Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Zearalenone exposure and the mammalian gut microbiome: a systematic review of the literature.Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology · 2026Pooled it
- Maternal mycoestrogen exposure in relation to timing of birth and placental corticotropin releasing hormone concentrations in a U.S. pregnancy cohort.Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) · 2026Article
- Occurrence and Co-Occurrence of Regulated and Emerging Mycotoxins in Foods Marketed to U.S. Toddlers.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Association between ultra-processed foods and female infertility: a large cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
15 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundZearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin contaminating grains and processed foods. ZEN alters nuclear estrogen receptor α/β signaling earning its designation as a mycoestrogen. Experimental evidence demonstrates that mycoestrogen exposure during pregnancy is associated with altered maternal sex steroid hormones, changes in placental size, and decreases in fetal weight and length. While mycoestrogens have been detected in human biospecimens worldwide, exposure assessment of ZEN in US populations, particularly during pregnancy, is lacking.
objectiveTo characterize urinary and placental concentrations of ZEN and its metabolites in healthy US pregnant people and examine demographic, perinatal, and dietary predictors of exposure.
methodsUrine samples were collected in each trimester from pregnant participants in the UPSIDE study and placenta samples were collected at delivery (Rochester, NY, n = 317). We used high performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry to measure total urinary (ng/ml) and placental mycoestrogens (ng/g). Using linear regression and linear mixed effect models, we examined associations between mycoestrogen concentrations and demographic, perinatal, and dietary factors (Healthy Eating Index [HEI], ultra-processed food [UPF] consumption).
resultsMycoestrogens were detected in 97% of urines (median 0.323 ng/ml) and 84% of placentas (median 0.012 ng/g). Stability of urinary mycoestrogens across pregnancy was low (ICC: 0.16-0.22) and did not correlate with placental levels. In adjusted models, parity (multiparous) and pre-pregnancy BMI (higher) predicted higher urinary concentrations. Birth season (fall) corresponded with higher placental mycoestrogens. Dietary analyses indicated that higher HEI (healthier diets) predicted lower exposure (e.g., Σmycoestrogens %∆ -2.03; 95%CI -3.23, -0.81) and higher percent calories from UPF predicted higher exposure (e.g., Σmycoestrogens %∆ 1.26; 95%CI 0.29, 2.24). IMPACT: The mycotoxin, zearalenone (ZEN), has been linked to adverse health and reproductive impacts in animal models and livestock. Despite evidence of widespread human exposure, relatively little is known about predictors of exposure. In a pregnant population, we observed that maternal ZEN concentrations varied by maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and parity. Consumption of ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and refined grains were linked to higher ZEN concentrations while healthier diets were associated with lower levels. Our research suggests disparities in exposure that are likely due to diet. Further research is needed to understand the impacts of ZEN on maternal and offspring health.
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