Lupine-induced crooked calf syndrome: mitigation through intermittent grazing management of cattle

Authors: Welch, Kevin; Lee, Stephen; PANTER, KIP - Retired ARS Employee; Stegelmeier, Bryan; Stonecipher, Clinton - Clint; Cook, Daniel

Submitted to: Translational Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2024
Publication Date: 5/7/2024
Citation: Welch, K.D., Lee, S.T., Panter, K.E., Stegelmeier, B.L., Stonecipher, C.A., Cook, D. 2024. Lupine-induced crooked calf syndrome: mitigation through intermittent grazing management of cattle. Translational Animal Science. 8. Article txae079. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae079.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txae079

Interpretive Summary: Lupines are responsible for a condition in cattle referred to as “crooked calf syndrome” (CCS) that occurs when pregnant cattle graze teratogenic lupines. A proposed management strategy to limit these types of birth defects includes utilizing an intermittent grazing schedule to allow short durations of grazing lupine-infested areas interrupted by movement to a lupine-free pasture. The objective of this study was to determine if an intermittent schedule of ten continuous days on lupine treatment followed by five days off treatment would be sufficient to decrease, or prevent, the incidence of lupine-induced malformations. The data reported in this study demonstrate that interrupting lupine intake for at least five days through an intermittent grazing program could reduce the severity of the CCS. Furthermore, this method would allow ranchers to move cattle back into lupine pastures after a brief interruption, which would allow for more efficient utilization of forage resources.

Technical Abstract: Lupines are responsible for a condition in cattle referred to as “crooked calf syndrome” (CCS) that occurs when pregnant cattle graze teratogenic lupines. A proposed management strategy to limit these types of birth defects includes utilizing an intermittent grazing schedule to allow short durations of grazing lupine-infested areas interrupted by movement to a lupine-free pasture. The objective of this study was to determine if an intermittent schedule of ten continuous days on lupine treatment followed by five days off treatment would be sufficient to decrease, or prevent, the incidence of lupine-induced malformations. Continuous dosing of the teratogenic lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus) to pregnant cows for 30 days during the most susceptible stage of pregnancy (gestation days 40-70) resulted in severe skeletal birth defects in their calves. However, intermittent dosing of the teratogenic lupine demonstrated that interrupted intake of lupine reduced severity, or eliminated, permanent skeletal malformations in calves born to cows dosed lupine. Toxicokinetic and ultrasound data demonstrated a clear inverse correlation between serum anagyrine (the primary teratogenic alkaloid in lupines) concentrations in the dam and fetal movement. In the intermittent group, fetal movement quickly returned to normal after lupine feeding stopped and remained normal until lupine treatment resumed. Therefore, interrupting lupine intake for at least five days through an intermittent grazing program could reduce the severity of the CCS. Furthermore, this method would allow ranchers to move cattle back into lupine pastures after a brief interruption, which would allow for more efficient utilization of forage resources.