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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #268457
Title: Toxic plants

Author
item Panter, Kip
item Welch, Kevin
item Gardner, Dale

Submitted to: Reproductive Toxicology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2011
Publication Date: 4/4/2011
Citation: Panter, K.E., Welch, K.D., Gardner, D.R. 2011. Toxic plants. In: Gupta, R.C., editor. Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology. San Diego, CA. Academic Press. p. 689-705.

Interpretive Summary: Reproductive success is the single most important economic multiplier for livestock producers in the USA. Poisonous plants have a major impact on livestock reproductive performance and can interfere with all aspects of reproduction from early embryonic development to onset of puberty to individual lifetime reproductive performance. This review provides specific research information on poisonous plants that interfere with reproduction and includes management recommendations to assist veterinarians, livestock producers and extension personnel in decisions that will reduce the negative impacts that poisonous plants may have on animal production.

Technical Abstract: Reproductive performance is the single most important economic animal trait to the livestock industry and is reported to be 5 and 10 times more significant than carcass quality and growth traits respectively. Poisonous plants impact livestock reproductive function in a major way and have been shown to interfere with oogenesis, spermatogenesis, fertilization, placentation, embryo/fetal growth and survival, fetal development (birth defects), postpartum intervals, and neonatal survival. In this review, poisonous plants that interfere with reproductive function are discussed and 9 management tools are recommended to assist livestock producers, veterinarians and extension personnel in management decisions that will reduce losses. This contribution to the text, “Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology”, is also an important resource for students, teachers, land managers, scientists and the general public having an interest in reproductive processes and the negative impact that poisonous plants may have.