Sociodemographic and dietary predictors of maternal and placental mycoestrogen concentrations in a US pregnancy cohort

Zearalenone (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.