1. Larry had a little lamb….
By:
Andy Peterson
Ann Huenink
Averi Sauder
Kristin Thompson

2. Case Overview
Larry Spikes a sheep rancher from Spanish Forks, Utah is complaining of “monkey faced” lambs with short legs and motor nerve paralysis.
The sheep herds had been left on mountain pastures ( ft) later into the fall breeding season than usual because of a drought.
The plants that the sheep have been exposed to are lupine and corn lily.

3. Corn Lily Also known as Veratrum Californicum.
Toxin: steroidal alkaloids that are teratogenic (jervine, cyclopamine and
cycloposine).
Toxicity: 45 grams of roots/rhizomes given twice daily for three days can be toxic to livestock.

4. Exposure (day of gestation)
Birth Defects
Exposure (day of gestation)
Effect
0-10
Failure to implant in utero
12-14
Cyclopia
12-34
Motor nerve paralysis
22-30
Cleft palate
25-36
Hypoplasia of metacarpals and tarsals
Shortly after hypoplasia
Tracheal stenosis (causes death of fetus)

5. Lupine Toxin: quinolizidine alkaloid
Toxicity: toxic when ingested at 1% or less of body weight.
The toxin is only produced in a moist environment.

6. Which plant was toxic?
Corn Lily produced the toxin that caused the birth defects that the farmer observed.
It is not Lupine because this plant requires a moist environment to produce its toxin.
Also the farmer did not observe signs of lupine poisoning which was salivating, ataxia, seizures, and head pressing.

7. Toxin Mechanism Cyclopamine disrupts Shh- dependent pathway
These inhibitors reduce Shh target gene transcription and block Shh pathway-dependent proliferation.
This blocks cholesterol from being converted into steroid hormones which in return block signaling pathways that guide development.

8. Suggestions for Larry!
Avoid overgrazing especially during the fall breeding season.
Increase rotational grazing procedures.
Invest in alternative feed options when pastures are limited during drought conditions.
Keep breeding ewes off high altitude grazing pastures.

9. Symptoms Increased gestational period Failure to lamb Vomiting
Slow, shallow breathing
Convulsions
Excessive salivation and general body weakness
DEATH

10. Works Cited http://dev.biologists.org/cgi/reprint/125/18/3553.pdf