Lupine induced "crooked calf disease" in Washington and Oregon: identification of the alkaloid profiles in Lupinus sulfureus, Lupinus leucophyllus, and Lupinus sericeus.
Several lupines (Lupinus spp.) present on western U.S. rangelands contain alkaloids that are teratogenic to livestock and cause congenital birth defects in calves (crooked calf disease). Periodically, large losses of calves due to lupine-induced "crooked calf disease" occur in northern Oregon and eastern Washington state. Five lupine populations from this area representing three species (L. leucophyllus, L. sulfureus, and L. sericeus) were evaluated taxonomically and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and the major alkaloids in each lupine species were identified. The teratogenic alkaloid anagyrine was present in both of the lupine species responsible for the high outbreaks in east-central Washington and northeastern Oregon. However, the alkaloid profiles of the two lupines identified as L. leucophyllus were dissimilar, as were the alkaloid profiles of the two lupines identified as L. sulfureus. Botanical classification is not sufficient to determine potential teratogenicity, and it must be followed by chemical characterization to determine risk to livestock.
Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Logan, UT 84341, USA. stephen.lee@ars.usda.gov
Stephen T
ST
Lee
Daniel
D
Cook
Kip E
KE
Panter
Dale R
DR
Gardner
Michael H
MH
Ralphs
Ernie S
ES
Motteram
James A
JA
Pfister
Clive C
CC
Gay
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D031297:Lupinus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D009922:Oregon; D013045:Species Specificity; D014861:Washington
D000470:Alkaloids