Congenital Malformations' Syndrome in Cebu Cattle in Peru

It is very common to blame inheritance as the cause of congenital malformations; however, the majority of defects are caused by environmental factors or by non-inherited chromosomal abnormalities; the latter are mainly developmental accidents. Environmental teratogens act at the time of embrionic implantacion or later. Embrionic or fetal cells undergoing active differenciation are more susceptible.---The most important environmental teratogens are (1): A) Toxic plants; 1- Lupinus spp. 2- Astragalus spp. 3- Conium maculatum, 4- Nicotiana spp. 5- About a dozen of other genus are capable of causing congenital malformations. B) Viruses; 1- Akabane, 2- Other Bunyavirus (Aino, Cache Valley), 3- Blue Tongue, 4- BVD, 5- EEV, and others. C) Physical Factors (e.g. irradiation, temperature). D) Chemicals (e.g. pesticides, anthelmintics). E) Minerals; 1- non-nutrient minerals (e.g. cadmium, lead); 2- nutrient minerals excess or deficiencies (e.g. copper, manganese and zinc deficiencies; excess of selenium). F) Vitamins excess or deficiencies (e.g. vitamin A).
American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 1992: Volume 3