A review of poisonous plants that cause reproductive failure and malformations in the ruminants of Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this review is to provide a report on toxic plants causing reproductive problems in ruminants in Brazil. Aspidosperma pyrifolium causes abortion or stillbirth in goats, as well as most likely in sheep and cattle, in the semiarid regions of Northeastern Brazil. Intoxications by Ateleia glazioveana, Tetrapterys acutifolia and T. multiglandulosa result in abortion and neonatal mortality in cattle and sheep, and the same signs have been experimentally observed in goats. These three plants can also cause cardiac fibrosis and a nervous disease with spongiosis of the central nervous system. Other plants known to cause abortion include Enterolobium contortisiliquum, E. gummiferum, Stryphnodendron coriaceum, S. obovatum and S. fissuratum. These plants can also cause digestive signs and photosensitization. Abortions have been reported in animals intoxicated by nitrates and nitrites as well. Infertility, abortions and the birth of weak offspring have been reported in animals intoxicated by plants containing swainsonine, including Ipomoea spp., Turbina cordata and Sida carpinifolia. Trifolium subterraneum causes estrogenism in cattle. Mimosa tenuiflora and, most likely, M. ophthalmocentra cause malformations and embryonic mortality in goats, sheep and cattle in the semiarid regions of Northeastern Brazil.

Embryonic death and abortion in goats caused by ingestion of Amorimia septentrionalis

“…In Brazil, several toxic plant species are responsible for causing abortion in ruminants including Aspidosperma pyrifolium, Ateleia glazioviana, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Stryphnodendron coriaceum, Stryphnodendron obovatum, Stryphnodendron fissuratum, Tetrapterys acutifolia, and Tetrapterys multiglandulosa (Riet-Correa et al 2011). In addition to abortions, some plant species may cause embryonic death and malformations including Mimosa tenuiflora (Pimentel et al 2007, Dantas et al 2012 and Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Reis et al 2016).…”

Megalocitose de células luteínicas grandes de vacas prenhes com seneciose crônica

“…Estas são amplamente estudadas, porém dentre esses distúrbios também são descritas afecções causados por plantas e outras toxinas. O desconhecimento da maioria dos seus mecanismos patogenéticos, faz com que sua importância não seja completamente reconhecida (James et al 1992, Lucena et al 2010, Riet-Correa et al 2012, Caldas et al 2011, Antoniassi et al 2013. Dessa forma, ainda se faz necessário o estudo detalhado das possíveis alterações reprodutivas causadas por princípios tóxicos de plantas e esse trabalho vem contribuir para o entendimento dessas interações.…”

Bovine Abortifacient and Teratogenic Toxins

“…The toxin or toxins responsible for abortions and clinical disease in these plants has not yet been identified. 17 Enterolobium spp. and Stryphnodendron spp.…”