THE EFFECTS OF ZEARALENONE AND GENISTEIN ON BOAR SPERM MOTILITY IN VITRO

The intake of zearalenone or genistein can interfere with estrogenic signalization in an organism, and these compounds can influence the state and the function of the genitals. This study investigates the possible enhanced effects of simultaneous exposure of boar sperm to both these compounds on sperm motility. The boar sperm samples were incubated in the presence of zearalenone (Zea1 = I,mu M; Zea2 = 2 mu M), genistein (Gen1 = 1 mu M; Gen2 = 2 mu M), or a zearalenone and genistein combination (ZeaGen1 = 0,5,mu M Zea + 0,5 mu M Gen; ZeaGen2 = 1 mu M Zea + 1 mu M Gen) at 38 degrees C. Sperm motility was evaluated after 4 minutes and after 4 hours of incubation. There was a significant stimulative effect of genistein in 2 mu M concentration after 4 minutes of incubation. On the contrary, the combination of zearalenone and genistein significantly decreased sperm motility in both concentrations (1 mu M, 2 mu M) after 4 hours of incubation. Genistein in 1 mu M concentration and zearalenone in 1 mu M, 2 mu M concentration had no effect on sperm motility. In conclusion, genistein can stimulate sperm motility; on the contrary, the genistein and zearalenone combination influenced sperm motility clearly negatively. The simultaneous presence of zearalenone and genistein can lead to enhanced effects than similar doses of these individual compounds.