Chemical and Plant Causes of Abortion
Chemical and plant causes of abortion in livestock are significant yet often overlooked factors contributing to reproductive losses.
Chemical Causes of Abortion
Nitrate (Low land or Mashland abortion)
- Cattle pastured on plants which is having high content of nitrate.
- Accidentally feeding of fertilizers.
- Abortion occurred from 3rd to 9th months of gestation.
Chlorinated Napthalenes
Normally produce hyperkeratosis or X disease and an acute vitamin A deficiency characterized by dry, thick wrinkled skin, metaplasia of the epithelium, metritis, abortion, dystocia and retained placenta.
Other chemicals which causes abortion are:
- Arsenic
- Sodium iodide (large doses intravenously).
- Excessive intake of selenium.
Plants Causes of Abortion
- Locoweeds
- Perennial broom weed: Abortions are due to a saponin in the plant.
- Sweet clover hay or silage: Abortions are due to the action of dicoumarol which cause fatal fetal haemorrhage.
- Pine needle: An anti-estrogenic substance may be the toxic agent which cause abortion.
Ergot Poisoning
Eating of plants with the growth of fungi claviceps purpurea on plants like rye, wheat, barley and many grasses.
Ergonovine is one of the alkaloids produced by ergot having oxytocin effect on uterine muscle.
