Evaluation of the reproductive toxicity of mimosine in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): studies in male and teratogenicity

• Grant number: 22/16375-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: André Tadeu Gotardo
• Grantee: André Tadeu Gotardo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: André Furugen Cesar de Andrade ; Silvana Lima Gorniak

Abstract

Leucaena leucocephala is a worldwide plant used as animal and human food. However, its use in animal production has been limited because of the presence of a toxic nonprotein amino acid, mimosine. Mimosine exhibits negative effects not only in ruminants but also in monogastric animals. It is known that the main mechanism of action of this compound lies in its ability to chelate metal ions, which may interfere with the proliferative activity of cells. If, on the one hand, there is an abundance of data in the literature that show the toxic effects on metabolism produced by mimosine, such as alopecia, anorexia, reduction in weight gain or loss and goiter, there are few studies on the possible toxic effects of this amino acid on reproduction. Thus, the present study proposal aims to evaluate the reproductive toxicity of mimosine in rabbits. Assessing its effects on pubescent males and its teratogenic potential. It is the scope of this research to develop a protocol in our laboratory, using the rabbit as an animal model, for the reproductive evaluation of males, as well as the improvement of the developmental toxicology protocol in this species. (AU)