Reproductive Toxicants, Induced Abortion, Pregnancy Termination

Question 1

Surgical incision of the vagina is termed:

Answer 1

colpotomy

Question 2

Crooked Calf Syndrome is caused by ingestion of __________ at __________ days of gestation

Answer 2

Crooked Calf Syndrome is caused by ingestion of poison hemlock (*Conium maculatum)* at 50-75 days of gestation

Question 3

What are the two toxic agents of lupines that cause severe limb and spinal deformities in cattle?

Answer 3

Anagyrine (Lupinus caudatus) and Ammodendrine (Lupinus formosus)

• Ingestion between 40-70 days of gestation
• Not teratogenic in small ruminants! This is good news because you can let your emergency goat supply loose in the pasture to clean it all up

Question 4

What is the toxin associated with Astragalus spp. and Oxytropis spp.?

Answer 4

Swainsonine

• Astragalus spp. and Oxytropis spp. are two different plant names for Locoweed.
• Can cause neurologic signs, abortion, fetal abnormalities- hydrops/arthrogryposis
• Causes more economic loss than any other plant

Question 5

An agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo is termed a:

Answer 5

teratogen

Question 6

Mono and di-terpenes, saponins, oxygentated flavonol methyl esters are all toxins associated with:

Answer 6

Broomweed or Snakeweed (Gutierrezia spp.)

Question 7

T/F: Locoweed can cause fetal deformity, abortion, and infertility

Answer 7

True

Question 8

T/F: Locoweed, Nitrates, Ponderosa Pine, and Broomweed are all teratogens

Answer 8

False

Locoweed, Nitrates, Ponderosa Pine, and Broomweed are all​ abortifacient agents

Question 9

Together, Festuca arundinacea infected with fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum produce this toxic alkaloid:

Answer 9

ergovaline

Causes peripheral vasoconstriction

Question 10

__________ is the toxic agent produced by Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Answer 10

Isocupressic acid

Question 11

In the cow, what is/are the source(s) of progesterone between 150-250 days of gestation?

Answer 11

corpus luteum and placenta

Question 12

If ingested between 50-75 days of gestation, this plant can cause arthrogryposis of the forelimbs and curvature of the spine:

Answer 12

Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)

Question 13

What drug(s) is/are given to induce abortion at 150-240 days of gestation?

Answer 13

corticosteroids and PGF

25 mg Dexamethasone & 25 mg Lutalyse®

• PGF acts to cause luteolysis (has no effect on placental P4 production)
• Corticosteroids reduce placental P4 production (no effect on CL)

Question 14

How do you diagnose nitrates?

Answer 14

Test ocular fluid of the aborted fetus

Question 15

What plant causes “summer slump” in cattle?

Answer 15

fescue

Question 16

Induced abortion after 120 days leads to retained fetal membranes in ___% of cows treated

Answer 16

80%

Membranes are usually lost within 7 days; Usually not a problem, but warn the client regardless

Question 17

What drug(s) is/are given to induce abortion at 5-150 days of gestation?

Answer 17

PGF

Question 18

What is the treatment protocol for hydrallantois?

Answer 18

• Induce abortion
• Slow drainage of fluid (over a 24 hour period)
• Constant monitoring (of the dam; vaginal exam for relaxation of cervix)

Question 19

In the cow, what is/are the source(s) of progesterone in the first 150 days of gestation?

Answer 19

corpus luteum

Question 20

T/F: In the final month of gestation, dexamethasone or PGF alone will induce parturition in 2-3 days

Answer 20

True

Question 21

Abnormal accumulation of allantoic fluid during 5-20 day period of last trimester is termed:

Answer 21

Hydrallantois

Question 22

In the cow, what is/are the source(s) of progesterone in the final month of pregnancy?

Answer 22

corpus luteum

Question 23

Which of the following causes limb deformities if ingested between 40-70 days?

• Isocupressic acid
• Broomweed
• Nitrates
• Anagyrine

Answer 23

Anagyrine

From Lupine