15: Reproductive System

Reproductive toxicity refers to adverse effects involving:

A. Physiological processes of reproduction only

B. Reproductive behavior only

C. Reproductive anatomy only

D. Physiological processes, associated behaviors, and anatomical structures involved in reproduction

D. Physiological processes, associated behaviors, and anatomical structures involved in reproduction

Developmental toxicity refers to adverse effects on:

A. Only sexually mature animals

B. The developing organism

C. Only reproductive organs

D. Only germ cells

B. The developing organism

Developmental toxicity may result from toxicant exposure occurring:

A. Only after conception

B. Only before conception

C. Before or after conception

D. Only during birth

C. Before or after conception

Which is considered a possible source of developmental toxicity?

A. Pre-conception parental exposure

B. Post-conception embryonic exposure

C. Post-conception fetal exposure

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Post-conception developmental toxicant exposure may involve the:

A. Embryo

B. Fetus

C. Pre-pubertal offspring

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Teratogenesis specifically refers to:

A. Infertility caused before conception

B. Developmental defects induced by toxicant exposure between conception and birth

C. Adult endocrine disease

D. Testicular degeneration only

B. Developmental defects induced by toxicant exposure between conception and birth

Which term is MOST specific for congenital developmental defects caused by toxicants?

A. Nephrotoxicity

B. Teratogenesis

C. Hepatotoxicity

D. Endocrinopathy

B. Teratogenesis

An endocrine disruptor may produce effects through:

A. Direct interaction with an endogenous hormone receptor

B. Alteration of hormonal function without directly binding a receptor

C. Both A and B

D. Neither A nor B

C. Both A and B

Which statement BEST describes endocrine disruption?

A. It requires direct hormone receptor binding in every case

B. It can occur with or without direct receptor interaction

C. It only affects reproductive hormones

D. It only occurs in females

B. It can occur with or without direct receptor interaction

A xenobiotic that mimics a normal hormone at its receptor would be considered a(n):

A. Endocrine disruptor

B. Antibiotic

C. Nephrotoxin only

D. Anticoagulant

A. Endocrine disruptor

A toxicant that alters hormone production without binding directly to the hormone receptor may still be considered:

A. A teratogen only

B. An endocrine disruptor

C. A mutagen only

D. A vesicant

B. An endocrine disruptor

Estrogenic compounds produced by certain plants are collectively called:

A. Phytoestrogens

B. Pyrrolizidines

C. Coumarins

D. Glycosides

A. Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens are particularly associated with which group of plants in this lecture?

A. Leguminous plants

B. Conifers

C. Lilies

D. Grasses only

A. Leguminous plants

Which clover species may contain phytoestrogens?

A. Subterranean clover

B. Red clover

C. White clover

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Alsike clover contains phytoestrogens classified as:

A. Isoflavones

B. Alkaloids

C. Glycosides

D. Tannins

A. Isoflavones

The clover phytoestrogens discussed in the lecture are mainly classified as:

A. Isoflavones

B. Steroids

C. Coumarins

D. Lactones

A. Isoflavones

What is the primary phytoestrogen in alfalfa?

A. Genistein

B. Coumestrol

C. Zearalenone

D. Gossypol

B. Coumestrol

Compared with many isoflavones in other legumes, coumestrol generally has:

A. Less estrogenic activity

B. Greater estrogenic activity

C. No estrogenic activity

D. Only androgenic activity

B. Greater estrogenic activity

The estrogenic activity of coumestrol generally does what during hay drying?

A. Increases

B. Decreases

C. Remains identical

D. Converts to gossypol

B. Decreases

Which commonly used feed plant can contain varying amounts of isoflavones?

A. Soybean

B. Corn

C. Ponderosa pine

D. Cotton only

A. Soybean

Phytoestrogen exposure may cause precocious development of the:

A. Mammary glands

B. Kidneys

C. Hooves

D. Lungs

A. Mammary glands

Precocious mammary development may be especially obvious in:

A. Dairy cattle and goats

B. Horses and dogs

C. Cats and pigs

D. Poultry only

A. Dairy cattle and goats

"Clover disease" is most classically associated with:

A. Sheep

B. Dogs

C. Cats

D. Horses

A. Sheep

Clover disease may also occur, to a lesser extent, in:

A. Cattle

B. Dogs

C. Cats

D. Poultry

A. Cattle

Infertility associated with clover disease is related to:

A. Abnormal estrous cycles

B. Cervical structural changes

C. Cervical functional changes

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Genistein exposure may produce structural changes in the:

A. Cervix and uterus

B. Kidney and liver

C. Lung and spleen

D. Brain only

A. Cervix and uterus

Genistein-induced abnormalities in exposed gilts may potentially be:

A. Irreversible organizational abnormalities

B. Limited to transient diarrhea

C. Restricted to the kidneys

D. Completely nonclinical

A. Irreversible organizational abnormalities

Coumestan exposure in cattle may produce:

A. Hyperestrogenism

B. Nymphomania

C. Swelling of external genitalia

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Which ovarian effect may occur with coumestan exposure?

A. Increased ovulation only

B. Inhibition of ovulation

C. Ovarian hypertrophy only

D. No ovarian effects

B. Inhibition of ovulation

Coumestan exposure may be associated with:

A. Cystic ovarian disease

B. Estrus suppression

C. Hyperestrogenism

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Slaframine exposure may cause a marked decrease in:

A. Milk production in dairy cattle

B. Urine production

C. Cardiac output

D. Bone growth

A. Milk production in dairy cattle

Locoweed includes plants belonging to which genera?

A. Oxytropis and Astragalus

B. Trifolium and Medicago

C. Pinus and Veratrum

D. Nicotiana and Conium

A. Oxytropis and Astragalus

The toxic principle of locoweed is:

A. Swainsonine

B. Gossypol

C. Zearalenone

D. Ergovaline

A. Swainsonine

Swainsonine is classified as a(n):

A. Indolizidine alkaloid

B. Coumarin

C. Steroid

D. Glycoside

A. Indolizidine alkaloid

The major reproductive problem associated with locoweed poisoning in cattle is:

A. Decreased fertility

B. Precocious puberty

C. Mammary hyperplasia only

D. Prolonged lactation

A. Decreased fertility

Locoweed-associated decreased fertility in cattle is characterized by:

A. Decreased conception rates

B. Lower calving percentages

C. Both A and B

D. Increased twinning

C. Both A and B

Zearalenone is best classified as a(n):

A. Estrogenic mycotoxin

B. Heavy metal

C. Vesicant

D. Anticoagulant

A. Estrogenic mycotoxin

Zearalenone is produced by:

A. Fusarium graminearum

B. Aspergillus flavus

C. Rhizoctonia leguminicola

D. Claviceps purpurea

A. Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum was formerly known as:

A. Fusarium roseum

B. Fusarium moniliforme

C. Fusarium toxicum

D. Fusarium equinum

A. Fusarium roseum

Zearalenone may occur in conjunction with:

A. Vomitoxin/deoxynivalenol

B. Gossypol

C. Ricin

D. Tannic acid

A. Vomitoxin/deoxynivalenol (DON)

Which grains are associated with zearalenone production?

A. Corn

B. Wheat

C. Barley and oats

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Which species is especially susceptible to zearalenone?

A. Swine

B. Horses

C. Cats

D. Sheep

A. Swine

Which swine group is particularly sensitive to zearalenone?

A. Pre-pubertal gilts

B. Mature boars only

C. Neonatal piglets only

D. Lactating sows only

A. Pre-pubertal gilts

Pre-pubertal gilts may be affected by feed concentrations of zearalenone as low as:

A. 0.01-0.03 ppm

B. 1-3 ppm

C. 10-30 ppm

D. 100-300 ppm

B. 1-3 ppm

Increased sensitivity of pigs to zearalenone is associated with:

A. Slow metabolism

B. Enhanced enterohepatic recirculation

C. Both A and B

D. Rapid renal elimination

C. Both A and B

Hyperestrogenism caused by zearalenone in pre-pubertal gilts may produce:

A. Vulvar swelling

B. Mammary gland swelling

C. Uterine enlargement

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Which ovarian abnormality may occur with zearalenone exposure in pre-pubertal gilts?

A. Ovarian atrophy

B. Ovarian hypertrophy

C. Increased ovulation

D. Ovarian hemorrhage only

A. Ovarian atrophy

A group of pregnant mares reaches its expected foaling date but shows no udder development and fails to foal. Which toxicity should be strongly suspected?

A. Fescue toxicosis

B. Zearalenone toxicosis

C. Gossypol toxicosis

D. Locoweed toxicosis

A. Fescue toxicosis

Pregnant mares affected by fescue toxicosis may produce:

A. Very large foals

B. Extremely small foals exclusively

C. Normal-sized foals in every case

D. Foals with only renal disease

A. Very large foals

Large foals associated with fescue toxicosis increase the risk of:

A. Dystocia

B. Diarrhea

C. Renal failure

D. Laminitis

A. Dystocia

A characteristic mammary finding in affected mares is:

A. Excessive early lactation in every case

B. No udder development

C. Mammary necrosis

D. Mammary tumors

B. No udder development

Fescue toxicosis is associated with:

A. Tall fescue grass

B. Red maple

C. Ponderosa pine

D. Clover only

A. Tall fescue grass

The fungal endophyte associated with tall fescue toxicosis is:

A. Neotyphodium coenophialum

B. Fusarium graminearum

C. Rhizoctonia leguminicola

D. Claviceps purpurea

A. Neotyphodium coenophialum

The major toxin associated with reproductive fescue toxicosis is:

A. Ergovaline

B. Zearalenone

C. Gossypol

D. Isocupressic acid

A. Ergovaline

In horses, fescue toxicosis interferes with:

A. Signals of parturition

B. Renal filtration

C. Vitamin K activation

D. Insulin secretion

A. Signals of parturition

Interference with parturition signals causes foals to:

A. Stop growing early

B. Continue growing

C. Become hypoglycemic

D. Become anemic

B. Continue growing

Fescue toxicosis in cattle is associated with:

A. Epidemic hyperthermia or "summer syndrome"

B. Cyclopia

C. Arthrogryposis only

D. Retained placenta only

A. Epidemic hyperthermia or "summer syndrome"

In pregnant mares, the greatest reproductive damage from fescue generally occurs during the:

A. First month

B. First trimester

C. Last 3 months of gestation

D. First week after conception

C. Last 3 months of gestation

One management strategy for pregnant mares at risk of fescue toxicosis is to:

A. Keep them on infected fescue until foaling

B. Move them to dry lot or stall during the final 3 months

C. Increase fescue intake

D. Feed more ergovaline

B. Move them to dry lot or stall during the final 3 months

Which drug may be used to treat fescue-associated reproductive problems in mares?

A. Domperidone

B. Fomepizole

C. Pamidronate

D. Vitamin K1

A. Domperidone

Domperidone is used because it promotes:

A. Mammary development

B. Renal filtration

C. Spermatogenesis

D. Calcium excretion

A. Mammary development

A potential disadvantage of domperidone therapy is:

A. Early milk leakage and loss of colostrum

B. Severe renal failure

C. Cyclopia

D. Ovarian atrophy

A. Early milk leakage and loss of colostrum

Gossypol is a:

A. Yellow polyphenolic pigment

B. Sugar alcohol

C. Glycoside

D. Heavy metal

A. Yellow polyphenolic pigment

Gossypol is associated with plants in which genus?

A. Gossypium

B. Trifolium

C. Veratrum

D. Pinus

A. Gossypium

Gossypol is concentrated primarily in pigment glands located within the:

A. Seeds

B. Flowers

C. Roots

D. Bark

A. Seeds

Gossypol toxicity may produce which systemic abnormalities?

A. Hepatic

B. Renal

C. Cardiovascular and pulmonary

D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Systemic gossypol abnormalities are generally observed especially in:

A. Monogastric animals

B. Adult ruminants exclusively

C. Poultry only

D. Reptiles only

A. Monogastric animals

Reproductive toxicity from free gossypol in males primarily damages the:

A. Seminiferous epithelium

B. Prostate only

C. Epididymis only

D. Adrenal cortex

A. Seminiferous epithelium

Sufficient exposure to free gossypol can disrupt:

A. Normal spermatogenesis

B. Ovulation only

C. Lactation only

D. Implantation only

A. Normal spermatogenesis

Which males are susceptible to reproductive effects from gossypol?

A. Peri-pubertal males

B. Sexually mature males

C. Both A and B

D. Neonates only

C. Both A and B

Ponderosa pine needle ingestion is particularly associated with reproductive toxicity in:

A. Cattle

B. Cats

C. Dogs

D. Swine

A. Cattle

The toxic principle associated with Ponderosa pine needles is:

A. Isocupressic acid

B. Gossypol

C. Ergovaline

D. Zearalenone

A. Isocupressic acid

Isocupressic acid exposure may cause:

A. Late-term abortion

B. Early embryonic death only

C. Ovarian atrophy only

D. Cyclopia

A. Late-term abortion

Ponderosa pine-associated abortion is commonly accompanied by:

A. Retained placenta

B. Hyperlactation

C. Renal failure

D. Polycythemia

A. Retained placenta

Isocupressic acid increases calcium in:

A. Arterial smooth muscle cells supplying the uterus

B. Hepatocytes only

C. Renal tubular cells only

D. Skeletal muscle exclusively

A. Arterial smooth muscle cells supplying the uterus

Increased smooth-muscle calcium associated with isocupressic acid causes:

A. Profound vasoconstriction

B. Profound vasodilation

C. Hyperglycemia

D. Increased GFR

A. Profound vasoconstriction

The final reproductive consequence of this uterine vascular effect is:

A. Abortion

B. Cystic ovarian disease

C. Infertility due to cervix changes

D. Mammary enlargement

A. Abortion

Which plant is associated with jervanine alkaloids such as cyclopamine, cycloposine, and jervine?

A. Veratrum californicum

B. Pinus ponderosa

C. Trifolium pratense

D. Gossypium spp.

A. Veratrum californicum

Veratrum californicum exposure is classically associated with development of:

A. Cyclops lambs

B. Fescue foot

C. Hemolytic anemia

D. Renal failure

A. Cyclops lambs

Jervanine alkaloids produce developmental abnormalities by interfering with which signaling pathway?

A. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway

B. Cyclooxygenase pathway

C. Vitamin K pathway

D. Alcohol dehydrogenase pathway

A. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway