Home > Agriculture > Series4 > Vol. 28 > No. 4
Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4
Keywords
Trifolium subterraneum, Plant oestrogens, Sheep, Female infertility, Reproductive performance
Disciplines
Disorders of Environmental Origin | Endocrine System Diseases | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Plant Biology
First Page Number
119
Last Page Number
122
ISSN
0021-8618
Abstract
Some varieties of subterranean clover, notably Dinninup, Dwalganup and Yarloop, contain compounds which act like the female sex hormone oestrogen. These plant oestrogens, or "phyto-oestrogens", interfere with the fertility of sheep and depress the percentage of lambs born.
Over the past 10 years our understanding of clover infertility has increased, and we can now gauge the extent of this residual problem. In fact, there is a widespread but low-level incidence of infertility which does not greatly affect individial farms but which has an important impact on the State's sheep production.
Recommended Citation
Adams, N R. and Croker, Keith
(1987)
"Clover infertility of sheep : continuing problem,"
Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 28:
No.
4, Article 4.
Available at:
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol28/iss4/4
Included in
Disorders of Environmental Origin Commons, Endocrine System Diseases Commons, Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons, Plant Biology Commons