Fthenakis GC, Manos G, Brozos C.

In this paper the effects on the fetus of toxins from plants in the feed of pregnant ewes or does, are reviewed. Special reference is made to the following plants: Cynodon dactylon, Gossypium spp., Veratrum spp., Gutierrezia spp., Conium maculatum, Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana glauca, Sorghum spp., Trachymene spp., Brassica spp., plants of Leguminosae family (Astragalus spp., Oxytropis spp., Swainsona spp., Lupinus spp.), as well as to the fungus Claviceps purpurea, consumption of which by pregnant ewes or does may cause abnormalities to their fetuses. For each of the above, the botanical characteristics are summarized, the pathogenicity for embryos is reviewed and the pathological findings in newborn lambs or kids are presented.

Key words: sheep, goats, reproduction, lambs, kids, phytotoxins, teratogenesis.