biostudies-literatureLiu YNational Key Research and Development Programs of China102https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12944946biostudies-literatureUnknown18(2)Zearalenone (ZEA) is a prevalent non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin in feed and feedstuffs. This study investigated the effects of graded dietary purified ZEA standard (0, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) on growth performance, blood biochemistry, oxidative stress, immune response, intestinal morphology, histopathology, and gut microbiota in broilers. The use of purified ZEA standard eliminates confounding effects from co-occurring contaminants and the reduced nutritional quality of naturally contaminated feed, allowing an accurate assessment of ZEA-specific effects. A total of 216 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated into six treatment groups, each with six replicates of six birds, for a 42-day trial. At the regulatory limit (0.5 mg/kg) and below, no overt toxic effecToxinsPurified Zearalenone at the Regulatory Limit Exhibits No Overt Toxicity in Broilers.PMC129449462023YFD1301002Zhang WLiu YYang WHe WDuan QChen YLuo SNie WfalsePurified Zearalenone at the Regulatory Limit Exhibits No Overt Toxicity in Broilers.Zearalenone (ZEA) is a prevalent non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin in feed and feedstuffs. This study investigated the effects of graded dietary purified ZEA standard (0, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) on growth performance, blood biochemistry, oxidative stress, immune response, intestinal morphology, histopathology, and gut microbiota in broilers. The use of purified ZEA standard eliminates confounding effects from co-occurring contaminants and the reduced nutritional quality of naturally contaminated feed, allowing an accurate assessment of ZEA-specific effects. A total of 216 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated into six treatment groups, each with six replicates of six birds, for a 42-day trial. At the regulatory limit (0.5 mg/kg) and below, no overt toxic effec2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Feb2026-07-10T03:20:45.799Z2026-07-10T03:15:43.368ZS-EPMC129449464174576810.3390/toxins18020102