Toxicology

Question 1

What range of gestational days will the ingestion of lupine plants lead to multiple congenital contractures (severe limb and spinal abnormalities as well as palatoschisis) in a calf?

Answer 1

(40-70 days)

Question 2

What other plant causes similar signs to lupine toxicosis when ingested between days 50-75 days of gestation?

Answer 2

(Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum))

Question 3

What two other plant toxicosis have similar presentations of clinical signs to poison hemlock? Be specific.

Answer 3

Lupine and tree tobacco

Question 4

Where can tree tobacco be found? Two states.

Answer 4

(California and Arizona)

Question 5

Is the nicotine contained within tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) a teratogen?

Answer 5

(No, it is the anabasine in the plant)

Question 6

Which species is common tobacco a teratogen in?

Answer 6

(Swine)

Question 7

What is the common name for the plants that contain swainsonine (and other teratogens) which interferes with oligosaccharide degradation and glycoprotein processing by inhibiting specific enzymes?

Answer 7

(Locoweeds)

Question 8

The microscopic lesions associated with locoweed toxicosis are cytoplasmic vacuolization of cells in a variety of tissues but most importantly, what two tissues?

Answer 8

(Brain and heart tissue)

Question 9

What length of exposure does the dam need to have to locoweed to induce toxicity?

Answer 9

(Chronic, 4-6 weeks)

Question 10

What pathologic process is initiated when needles from Ponderosa pine trees are ingested during the last trimester of pregnancy?

Answer 10

(Abortion, specifically causes a profound constriction of the caruncular arterial bed which results in decreased uterine blood flow and premature parturition)

Question 11

Why do cows with fescue toxicity have decreased estrus exhibition?

Answer 11

(Bc they are hyperthermic → heat stress)

Question 12

Is gossypol more commonly seen in dairy or beef cattle?

Answer 12

(Dairy)

Question 13

Reproductive clinical signs due to gossypol toxicity are exhibited more in males or females?

Answer 13

(Males → marked testicular damage, reduced sperm motility, increased midpiece abnormalities)

Question 14

What clinical sign is most commonly apparent in a mare with fescue toxicity?

Answer 14

(Agalactia)

Question 15

Fescue toxicity is most significant if it occurs during what days of gestation in a mare?

Answer 15

(The last 90 days of gestation)

Question 16

How does fescue toxicity result in neonatal hypoxia or asphyxia?

Answer 16

(Causes prolonged gestation and a thickened placenta in the mom → red bag)

Question 17

Besides nitrites and nitrates found in fertilizers, what is another source of nitrates that can induce abortions in cattle, especially in late gestation?

Answer 17

(Plants under certain conditions such as drought-stress)

Question 18

What hormone are zearalenone toxic effects similar to?

Answer 18

(Estrogen)