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Zeranol is an estrogen-like endocrine disrupting chemical that interferes with the binding of natural estrogens, disrupting hormone levels and causing various reproductive disorders in males and females. It has been shown to cause developmental problems in animals by causing tissue malformations and produce irregularities in the estrous cycle. In humans, zeranol induces breast cancer cell growth. (A2965)

Zeranol acts as an agonist at the estrogen receptors, interfering with the binding of natural estrogens. This disrupts hormone levels and affects a number of signaling processes, leading to various reproductive disorders in males and females. Mycotoxins are often able to enter the liver and kidney by human organic anion transporters (hOATs) and human organic cation transporters (hOCTs). They can also inhibit uptake of anions and cations by these transporters, interefering with the secretion of endogenous metabolites, drugs, and xenobiotics including themselves. This results in increased cellular accumulation of toxic compounds causing nephro- and hepatotoxicity. (A2965, A2961, A3014)

Metabolism of zeranol occurs in the liver. During phase I metabolism, dehydrogenation produces zearalanone as the major metabolite and beta-zearalanol as the minor metabolite. Cytochrome P450 enzymes also catalyze the aromatic hydroxylation of zeranol, producing 13-hydroxy-alpha-zearalanol and 15-hydroxy-alpha-zearalanol. During phase II metabolism reduction/oxidation occurs, forming the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates of zearalanone and beta-zearalanol. In humans, the metabolites are excreted mainly in the urine. (A2966)