Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region
The Northeast of Brazil is a leading region for small ruminants. However, these herds are primarily located in the semi-arid region and face significant losses due to fetal and perinatal mortality, frequently linked to the consumption of teratogenic toxic plants during pregnancy. This study investig...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Valdemar C. Rocha Givanildo J. Santos Filho Maria de Fátima de Souza Edson B. Assis Misael A. da Silva Mônica S. Sousa Eduardo Sérgio S. Sousa Sara V. D. Simões Ricardo B. Lucena |
| author_facet | Valdemar C. Rocha Givanildo J. Santos Filho Maria de Fátima de Souza Edson B. Assis Misael A. da Silva Mônica S. Sousa Eduardo Sérgio S. Sousa Sara V. D. Simões Ricardo B. Lucena |
| author_sort | Valdemar C. Rocha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Northeast of Brazil is a leading region for small ruminants. However, these herds are primarily located in the semi-arid region and face significant losses due to fetal and perinatal mortality, frequently linked to the consumption of teratogenic toxic plants during pregnancy. This study investigated the clinical and epidemiological aspects related to abortions and malformations in 80 small ruminant farms in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Necropsies were also performed on fetuses and neonates, along with histopathological, molecular, and serological analyses of the herds to differentiate other conditions. Malformations were identified on approximately 42 farms, with arthrogryposis being the most common abnormality. Toxic plants, including <i>Mimosa tenuiflora</i> and <i>Cenostigma pyramidalis</i>, were recorded on 95.23% of the properties with reported malformations. Additionally, necropsies confirmed the association between the occurrence of these plants and malformations, abortions, and mortality, excluding infectious causes. These results underscore the urgent need for prevention and control strategies to mitigate the impact of toxic plants on small ruminant production in the semi-arid region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a1f916939e10472f8373dd6ee7eadeea |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a1f916939e10472f8373dd6ee7eadeea2025-08-20T02:48:06ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115335610.3390/ani15030356Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid RegionValdemar C. Rocha0Givanildo J. Santos Filho1Maria de Fátima de Souza2Edson B. Assis3Misael A. da Silva4Mônica S. Sousa5Eduardo Sérgio S. Sousa6Sara V. D. Simões7Ricardo B. Lucena8Department of Veterinary Sciences, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rodovia 079—Km 12, Areia 58397-000, Paraiba, BrazilDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rodovia 079—Km 12, Areia 58397-000, Paraiba, BrazilGraduate Program in Animal Health and Science, Center for Rural Health and Technology, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Avenida Universitária, s/n Bairro Santa Cecília, Patos 58708-110, Paraiba, BrazilGraduate Program in Animal Science, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rodovia 079—Km 12, Areia 58397-000, Paraiba, BrazilUndergraduate Program in Animal Science, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rodovia 079—Km 12, Areia 58397-000, Paraiba, BrazilGraduate Program in Animal Science, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rodovia 079—Km 12, Areia 58397-000, Paraiba, BrazilDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, João Pessoa 58051-900, Paraiba, BrazilDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rodovia 079—Km 12, Areia 58397-000, Paraiba, BrazilDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Rodovia 079—Km 12, Areia 58397-000, Paraiba, BrazilThe Northeast of Brazil is a leading region for small ruminants. However, these herds are primarily located in the semi-arid region and face significant losses due to fetal and perinatal mortality, frequently linked to the consumption of teratogenic toxic plants during pregnancy. This study investigated the clinical and epidemiological aspects related to abortions and malformations in 80 small ruminant farms in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Necropsies were also performed on fetuses and neonates, along with histopathological, molecular, and serological analyses of the herds to differentiate other conditions. Malformations were identified on approximately 42 farms, with arthrogryposis being the most common abnormality. Toxic plants, including <i>Mimosa tenuiflora</i> and <i>Cenostigma pyramidalis</i>, were recorded on 95.23% of the properties with reported malformations. Additionally, necropsies confirmed the association between the occurrence of these plants and malformations, abortions, and mortality, excluding infectious causes. These results underscore the urgent need for prevention and control strategies to mitigate the impact of toxic plants on small ruminant production in the semi-arid region.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/3/356abortionsclimatedroughtmanagementnative vegetationsmall ruminants |
| spellingShingle | Valdemar C. Rocha Givanildo J. Santos Filho Maria de Fátima de Souza Edson B. Assis Misael A. da Silva Mônica S. Sousa Eduardo Sérgio S. Sousa Sara V. D. Simões Ricardo B. Lucena Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region Animals abortions climate drought management native vegetation small ruminants |
| title | Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region |
| title_full | Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region |
| title_fullStr | Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region |
| title_short | Abortions and Congenital Malformations in Small Ruminants Associated with Toxic Plant Consumption in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region |
| title_sort | abortions and congenital malformations in small ruminants associated with toxic plant consumption in the brazilian semi arid region |
| topic | abortions climate drought management native vegetation small ruminants |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/3/356 |
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