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Teratogenic Effectsof Plants on Lambs

Jess RussChase Constant

Case Summary Lambing problem in Spanish Forks, Utah Drought kept herds on mountain pastures

later into fall breeding season

Rancher described the following in lambs: Distorted upper jaw, cleft palate, and cyclopia Motor-nerve paralysis Surviving lambs had shortened legs

Cyclopia in lambs Possible Causes Two toxic plants were

found on the pastureland Veratrum sp. (commonly

known as Corn Lily)

Lupinus sp. (Lupine)

Veratrum sp. Contains 3 teratogenic alkaloids

jervine, cyclopamine, and cycloposine Inhibits proteoglycan synthesis resulting in

defective chondrongenesis results in head, trachea, and bone malformations

Cyclopamine and jervine inhibit Shhsignaling during gastrulation-stage

Teratogenic Effects of Veratrum sp.

shortened legs from hypoplasia30-36

cleft palate, harelip and brachygnathia12-30

motor-nerve paralysis of hind legs17-18

cyclopia14

EffectDay of Gestation

2

Lupinus sp. Contains the toxic alkaloid anagyrine Ewes may be symptomatic with the

following: salivation, ataxia, seizures, and head-pressing

The alkaloid is NOT teratogenic to sheepfetuses

Causes “crooked calf syndrome” in cattle

Lupine Effects in Cattle Cow rumen metabolizes anagyrine

resulting in a teratogenic derivative Causes an immobilizing effect on fetus Fetus malformations occur because the fetus

remains in one position for a prolonged period Occurs when exposure is 40-70 days in gestation

Diagnosis The symptoms that the rancher noted were

indicative of the toxic Corn Lily

The Lupine, while toxic to sheep, was notthe underlying cause of the noted problem

Management Suggestions

Keep ewes in their first trimester off theproblematic pastures

No treatment options are available

References

Chan A, Downs D, Tsai C, Begley B, Triplett J. Poisonous Plants.http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/poison/plants/ppweste.htm. University ofPennsylvania. 2006 Apr. 19.

Lee ST, Panter KE, Gaffield W, Stegelmeier BL. Development of anenzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the veratrum plant teratogens:cyclopamine and jervine. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jan 29;51(3):582-6.