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Ponderosa pine needle-induced parturition in cattle
K E Panter1, L F James, R J Molyneux
1USDA, ARS, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan, UT 84321.
Journal of Animal Science
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Ingesting Ponderosa pine needles can cause premature birth in pregnant cattle, particularly in the third trimester. The risk increases with later pregnancy, longer ingestion periods, and higher quantities of needles.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Toxicology
- Animal Reproduction
Background:
- Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) ingestion is linked to adverse reproductive outcomes in cattle.
- Understanding the specific conditions and factors influencing this effect is crucial for livestock management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the clinical signs and behavioral changes in cattle due to Ponderosa pine needle ingestion.
- To identify critical factors influencing the induction of premature parturition by pine needles.
Main Methods:
- Experimental observation of clinical signs and behavior in pregnant cattle ingesting Ponderosa pine needles.
- Comparative analysis of effects across different animal species and reproductive states.
Main Results:
- Ponderosa pine needles specifically induce premature parturition in pregnant cattle, with effects most pronounced in the third trimester.
- Factors increasing risk include ingestion after 8 months of gestation, prolonged ingestion (≥3 days), and high intake (2.2–2.7 kg/d).
- Nonpregnant animals and other species (sheep, goats, rabbits) were unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Ponderosa pine needles pose a significant risk for premature parturition in late-term pregnant cattle.
- Pine bark and new growth may contain more potent compounds, warranting further investigation for component identification and potential therapeutic or management strategies.