Fig. 1

ZEN-contaminated food disturbs reproductive and immune systems. a, b The organ’s index of pigs, during phase-1 (a) and phase-2 (b), between the Ctrl group and zearalenone (ZEN) group (n=4). c, d The uterine size (uterine length, uterine width, and uterine horn’s width) of pigs (n=4). e, f Representative H&E staining of immune organs (liver, spleen, thymus, and inguinal lymph nodes) and reproductive organs (uterus and reproductive tract) from each group under ×40 magnification. The scale bar represents 100 μm. g, h Representative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of immune organs and reproductive organs from each group (The yellow arrows show swelling nucleus). The scale bar represents 2 μm. i–l The mRNA expression of oxidative stress markers (i, j) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (k, l) in immune organs (e.g., liver and thymus) and reproductive organs (e.g., uterus) (n=8). Bar values are means ± SEM. *P < 0.05