A subchronic feeding safety evaluation of transgenic milk containing human β-defensin 3 on reproductive system of C57BL/6J mouse. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Ming-Qing; Zhang, Ruiqi; Yang, Yange; Luo, Yuru; Jiang, Ming; Zhang, Yingli; Zhang, Yong; Qing, Suzhu
• Is Part Of: Food and chemical toxicology. Volume 115(2018)
• Page Start: 198
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Transgenic milk -- Human β-defensin 3 -- Bovine mastitis -- Food safety evaluation -- Mouse; E2 estradiol -- E. coli Escherichia coli -- FSH follicle-stimulating hormone -- hBD3 human β-defensin 3 -- LH luteinizing hormone -- S. aureus Staphylococcus aureus -- T testosterone; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Food poisoning -- Periodicals; Food Poisoning -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Toxicologie -- Périodiques; Intoxications alimentaires -- Périodiques; Food poisoning; Toxicology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.03.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6915

Abstract

Abstract: Bovine mastitis is an infectious disease of the mammary gland which has been generally treated by antibiotic delivery. While the increasing drug-resistant bacteria and the high consumption of the antibiotic had become a noticeable concern. In a previous study, a mammary special vector expressing human β-defensin 3 (hBD3) was transfected into bovine fetal fibroblasts to produce mastitis-resistant bovine. This investigation focused on potential unintended effects of transgenic milk containing hBD3 produced by these mastitis-resistant bovine on the reproductive system of C57BL/6J mice. Mice were fed with diets containing transgenic milk or conventional milk, nutritionally balanced to an AIN93G diet for 90 days, and non-milk diet was selected as the negative group. The reproductive system was given special attention including reproductive organ/body ratios, necropsy and histopathology, serum sex hormone, sperm parameters, estrus cycle and the expression level of some specific genes which could indicate the development and function of reproductive system. No diet-related significant differences were observed among three groups in this 90-day feeding study. The results indicated that hBD3 milk does not appear to exert any effect on the reproductive system in C57BL/6J rats compared with conventional milk or the control diet. Highlights: Effects of transgenic milk in this subchronic mouse feeding study was analyzed. No sign of toxicity in analyzed reproductive parameters has been found in this study. The transgenic milk containing hBD3 is as safe as conventional milk for mice.