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<UL> <LI>Identify abortifacient toxins in pine needles and broom snakeweed and determine metabolism and clearance times.<LI> Describe the pathophysiologic, endocrine, immunologic, and morphologic changes associated with the abortions, and define mechanisms.<LI> Describe their physiologic activity, toxicokinetics, and mechanism of action of teratogenic plants. <LI>Determine plant, animal, environmental and management factors influencing consumption of these plants and develop management strategies that will reduce losses.
Approach: Metabolites of isocupressic acid (ICA) will be synthesized and tested for abortifacient activity in cattle. Methods for analysis of toxins in broom snakeweeds will be developed. ICA and ICA metabolite conjugates will be developed and injected into cows to determine if they will prevent abortion. Diets with high and low protein and energy will be offered to pregnant cattle to compare cattle's propensity to graze needles and snakeweed. Studies will be done to examine the impact of snow cover forage availability and needle consumption. Population cycles of broom snakeweed will be monitored and correlations will be made between seasonal precipitation and snakeweed density, age classes and associated species cover. Toxic and teratogenic activity of piperidine and quinolizidine alkaloids will be tested. Lupine plant samples and chemical profiles, epidemiology assessment and range studies will be done to determine relative risk of grazing lupine pastures on the scablands of Washington State.