Which plant is teratogenic in livestock?

• A. St. Johnswort
• B. Buckwheat
• C. Veratrum
• D. Subterranean clover

Answer: (C)

Exposure to certain plants during early pregnancy can derail fetal development in livestock, leading to birth defects. Veratrum species contain alkaloids such as cyclopamine that block the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway, which is essential for normal craniofacial and neural development. When a pregnant animal, especially a ewe, ingests Veratrum during the critical early gestation window, the disruption can produce severe congenital malformations such as cyclopia and holoprosencephaly. This makes Veratrum the classic teratogenic plant in livestock.

The other plants listed have different toxic effects but are not known for producing these characteristic craniofacial birth defects. St. John’s wort and buckwheat can cause photosensitization, and subterranean clover is associated with reproductive or estrogenic effects rather than teratogenic craniofacial malformations.