ARS | Publication request: SCREENING POISONOUS PLANT TOXINS FOR CYTOTOXICITY USING BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY IN VITRO FERTILIZATION TECHNIQUES

Submitted to: Poisonous Plants Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: April 14, 2001
Publication Date: June 4, 2004
Citation: Panter, K.E., James, L.F., Wang, S., Gardner, D.R., Gaffield Jr, W.P., Molyneux, R.J., Stegelmeier, B.L., Bunch, T.D. 2004. Screening poisonous plant toxins for cytotoxicity using bovine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization techniques. Poisonous Plants Symposium Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: Locoweeds (certain species of Astragalus and Oxytropis) cause reproductive dysfunction in livestock including early embryo loss (Panter et al., 1999a). Feeding locoweed to pregnant sheep induced cardica dysfunction, delayed placentation, reduced placental and vascular development, hydrops amnii, abnormal cotyledonary development, interruption of fetal fluid balance, and abortion (Panter et al., 1987, James and Panter, 1989: Bunch et al., 1991). Negative effects on estrous behavior, lenght of estrous cycle, breeding and conception were reported in cows after ingesting locoweed (Oxytropis sericea) at 20% of their diet (Panter, et al., 1996b). Poisoned animals become lethargic, anorexic, emaciated, and have neurological signs that range from subtle apprehension to seizures (James and Panter, 1989). Locoweed poisoning occurs worldwide and causes tremendous losses annually to the livestock industry (James and Nielsen, 1988; Nielsen et al., 1988).

Technical Abstract: Locoweeds (certain species of Astragalus and Oxytropis) cause reproductive dysfunction in livestock including early embryo loss (Panter et al., 1999a). Feeding locoweed to pregnant sheep induced cardiac dysfunction, delayed placentation, reduced placental and vascular development, hydrops amnii, abnormal cotyledonary development, interruption of fetal fluid balance, and abortion (Panter et al., 1987; James and Panter, 1989: Bunch et al., 1991). Negative effects on estrous behavior, length of estrous cycle, breeding and conception were reported in cows after ingesting locoweed (Oxytropis sericea) at 20% of their diet (Panter, et al., 1996b). Poisoned animals become lethargic, anorexic, emaciated, and have neurological signs that range from subtle apprehension to seizures (James and Panter, 1989). Locoweed poisoning occurs worldwide and causes tremendous losses annually to the livestock industry (James and Nielsen, 1988; Nielsen et al., 1988).