Fighting zearalenone: A different ball game

Due to its resemblance to oestrogen, some would rather call the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) a myco-oestrogen than a mycotoxin. The compound being similar to oestrogen, however, reveals its effect: it can affect sows’ reproductive cycles. Zearalenone (ZEN) commonly impacts pig reproduction and comes in many forms. The base molecule naturally goes through changes within fungi, plants and animals. Some of these changes are tiny, but have a big impact on potency – meaning that even low levels o