Mycotoxin-Induced Oxidative Stress and Its Impact on Human Folliculogenesis: Examining the Link to Reproductive Health

Climate change has contributed to increased mycotoxin contamination in food systems, posing a growing threat to human health, including reproductive health. Our study aimed to investigate how mycotoxins entering the follicular fluid affect oxidative stress processes. We analyzed 88 follicular fluid samples from infertile patients for common mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), its main metabolite alpha-zearalenol (aZOL), and aflatoxin M1 (AfM1), and examined their relationship with oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, GPx, CAT, and TAOC) and hormones (cortisol, estradiol, and anti-Müllerian hormone). Higher mycotoxin levels were associated with increased oxidative stress, particularly elevated MDA levels, and disrupted antioxidant enzyme activity. Notably, DON showed a positive correlation with SOD and estradiol levels, indicating a compensatory antioxidant response, while AfM1 served as a negative predictor. The metabolite aZOL was strongly linked to cortisol, with effects influenced by estradiol levels, implying endocrine-disrupting activity. Importantly, the interaction between DON and AMH appeared to impact dominant follicle development, suggesting a potential mechanism by which environmental toxins impair fertility without directly reducing oocyte or embryo counts. These results highlight the complex, dose-dependent effects of mycotoxins on oxidative and hormonal balances within the follicular environment, with implications for oocyte quality and reproductive success. Better understanding these mechanisms could help develop early diagnostic markers and targeted interventions to improve fertility outcomes in women exposed to changing environmental conditions.