Abstract: 【Objective】 This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis georgi(SBG) on antioxidant capacity,sex hormone levels and mRNA expression of estrogen receptors α(Erα) and progesterone receptors(PR) in female mice exposed to zearalenone(ZEA).【Method】 Fifty female mice were chosen and randomly divided into five groups after one week pre-feed,with 10 mice in each group.The mice in control group (CK) were given 10 mL/kg corn oil,in ZEA group were given 20 mg/kg ZEA,in ZEA+SBG10 group were given 20 mg/kg ZEA+10 g/kg SBG,in ZEA+SBG20 group were given 20 mg/kg ZEA+20 g/kg SBG, and the mice in ZEA+SBG30 group were given 20 mg/kg ZEA+30 g/kg SBG.All experimental mice were fed a basal diet for 3 weeks.The body weight of mice was recorded daily during the trial period.The blood samples of tail root vein of mice were collected before morning feeding at the end of the first,second and third week,respectively,and the antioxidant-related indexes and sex hormone content in serum were determined.At the end of the third week of the trial,ovaries and uterus were collected to detect the mRNA expression of the relevant steroid hormone receptor gene.【Result】 Compared with the CK group,ZEA exposure for more than 2 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in body weight,serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity,glutathione (GSH) and estradiol (E₂) levels (P＜0.05),and a significant increase in ovarian stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (P＜0.05). While luteinizing hormone (LH) levels had no significant changes (P＞0.05).Compared with ZEA group,the body weight of mice treated with 20 or 30 g/kg SBG for 3 weeks was significantly increased (P＜0.05),and the activities of total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD) and GSH-Px and GSH level in serum of mice treated with 20 g/kg SBG for 3 weeks were significantly increased (P＜0.05).After treatment with 30 g/kg SBG for 2 weeks,these three indexes were significantly increased (P＜0.05).Treatment with 20 or 30 g/kg SBG for 2 weeks significantly decreased serum malondialdehyde(MDA) content (P＜0.05).Treatment with 30 g/kg SBG for 2 weeks significantly increased the level of E₂ (P＜0.05),and significantly decreased the content of FSH (P＜0.05).After 3 weeks of treatment with 20 or 30 g/kg SBG,ERα gene expression in uterus and ovary was significantly increased (P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in PR mRNA expression among all groups (P＞0.05).【Conclusion】 SBG could improve the serum antioxidant capacity and sex hormone levels of female mice exposed to ZEA,enhance the expression of uterine and ovarian ERα,and alleviate the oxidative damage and reproductive toxicity caused by ZEA. The recommended dose of SBG was 20 to 30 g/kg.

Key words: Scutellaria baicalensis georgi; zearalenone (ZEA); antioxidant capacity; sex hormone; estrogen receptors α (ERα); progesterone receptors (PR)