Teratogenicity and toxicity of wild tree tobacco, Nicotiana glauca in sheep

Abstract

Collections of Nicotiana glauca containing from 0.45-1.14 mg anabasine per gram dry weight of plant induced moderate - severe toxic signs in pregnant ewes and teratogenic effects in their offspring when the ewes were given single daily doses of the plant that provided from 1.66 - 3.42 mg anabasine per kg body weight. Toxic signs included excess salivation, irregular gait, wobbling while walking or standing, recumbency and death. Teratogenic effects occurred in offspring from animals fed those doses the 30th - 60th day of gestation. Terata expression included limb defects such as a fixed excessive carpal flexure with or without lateral or medial rotation of fore or rear limbs, lordosis, irregular shaped head or cleft palate.