Zearalenone (ZEN) in Livestock and Poultry: Dose, Toxicokinetics, Toxicity and Estrogenicity

, and often co-occurs with deoxynivalenol in grains. The commonly elaborated derivatives of ZEN are -zearalenol, -zearalenol, zearalanone, -zearalanol, and -zearalanol. Other modified and masked forms of ZEN (including the extractable conjugated and non-extractable bound derivatives of ZEN) have also been quantified. In this review, common dose of ZEN in animal feed was summarized. The absorption rate, distribution ("carry-over"), major metabolites, toxicity and estrogenicity of ZEN related to poultry, swine and ruminants are discussed.