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Review
. 2024 Jan 26;19(1):20240907.
doi: 10.1515/med-2024-0907. eCollection 2024.

Aflatoxin B1 induces infertility, fetal deformities, and potential therapies

Sullibie Francis  1 , Nii Korley Kortei  2 , Marian Sackey  3 , Seidu A Richard  4
Affiliations
Review

Aflatoxin B1 induces infertility, fetal deformities, and potential therapies

Sullibie Francis et al. Open Med (Wars). .

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a subsidiary poisonous metabolite, archetypally spawned by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, which are often isolated in warm or tropical countries across the world. AFB1 is capable of disrupting the functioning of several reproductive endocrine glands by interrupting the enzymes and their substrates that are liable for the synthesis of various hormones in both males and females. In men, AFB1 is capable of hindering testicular development, testicular degeneration, and reduces reproductive capabilities. In women, a direct antagonistic interaction of AFB1 with steroid hormone receptors influencing gonadal hormone production of estrogen and progesterone was responsible for AFB1-associated infertility. AFB1 is potentially teratogenic and is responsible for the development of malformation in humans and animals. Soft-tissue anomalies such as internal hydrocephalus, microphthalmia, cardiac defects, augmented liver lobes, reproductive changes, immune modifications, behavioral changes and predisposition of animals and humans to neoplasm development are AFB1-associated anomalies. Substances such as esculin, selenium, gynandra extract, vitamins C and E, oltipraz, and CDDO-Im are potential therapies for AFB1. Thus, this review elucidates the pivotal pathogenic roles of AFB1 in infertility, fetal deformities, and potential therapies because AFB1 toxicity is a key problem globally.

Keywords: AFB1; infertility; malformations; markers; ovary; testis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Influence of the ingested AFB1 by various ways in both male and female reproductive organs, resulting in infertility and/or fetal instability during pregnancy. X = inhibitory. Note: human symbols denote both humans/animals.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Main body organs that AFB1 was capable of triggering deformities during prenatal exposes. Note: human symbols denote both humans/animals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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