Diminished Reproductive Performance and Selected Toxicants in Forages and Grains

This article discusses reproductive toxicants as the potential, primary causes of observed reproductive abnormalities and other variables that can affect reproductive performance in ruminants. The causes of diminished reproductive performance in ruminants are often multifactorial. It is critical that producers and their veterinarians understand the potential effects of physiologic and genetic predispositions and nutritional, environmental, infectious, and toxic stressors, as well as interactions involving management. The recognition and prevention of the adverse reproductive effects of these enzootic toxic stressors are essential for optimal ruminant reproductive performance and profitability of a ruminant production system.