PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

Crotalaria lanceolata E. Mey. and Crotalaria pallida Aiton. are leguminous plants of family Fabaceae found in most of the Brazilian territory. They were initially used as green manure and due their easy spread they are currently considered weeds in crops. Soybean and corn contamination can occur through the mechanical harvesting of these grains along with seeds of the Crotalaria species, which end up in the formulation of feed for production animals. Crotalaria spp. genus has toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA). Most plant species belonging to this genus can cause acute or chronic liver injury. In a first stage, one-day old broilers were divided into three groups: Group A (C. pallida seeds), Group B (C. lanceolata seeds), and Group C (Control). Groups A and B were divided into five subgroups, each with eight broilers, which received the following doses of the respective seeds in feed as of the 7th day of age: daily doses of 0.4%, 0.8% and 2.5%, and single doses of 15% and 25%. Four broilers in each study group were euthanized at 28 days of age - completing 21 days of seed consumption, and the four remaining broilers were euthanized at 42 days of age - completing 35 days of seed consumption. In a second stage, experiments were conducted using seeds of both the aforementioned plants with 28-day old broilers. These were divided into three groups of four animals each: Group D (C. pallida seeds) and Group E (C. lanceolata seeds), which received the respective seeds at daily doses of 1% and 2% in feed for 20 days, and Group F (Control). These broilers were euthanized when they were 80 days old. C. lanceolata seeds showed higher toxicity to broilers than C. pallida seeds, both supplied as of the 7th day of life. Clinical signs included inappetence, ruffled feathers, and brown diarrhea. The following gross lesions were observed: subcutaneous edema, ascites, hydropericardium, yellowish liver with hypertrophy or atrophy and enhanced lobular pattern, and distended gallbladder. Histologic lesions present in all birds in varying degrees were characterized by tumefaction and vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes. The following clinical conditions and gross lesions were observed in the broilers: hepatocyte megalocytosis and karyomegaly, slight biliary epithelial hyperplasia, eosinophilic spheroids, and nuclear invagination with loss of hepatocyte cord architecture.

• Experimental poisoning Crotalaria lanceolata E. Mey. Crotalaria pallida Aiton. Fabaceae hepatotoxic plants pyrrolizidine alkaloids Crotalaria sp. broilers toxic plants poisoning toxicoses

Abstract in Portuguese:

Crotalaria lanceolata E. Mey. e Crotalaria pallida Aiton. são leguminosas da família Fabaceae presentes na maioria do território brasileiro. Inicialmente foram utilizadas como adubação verde e devido sua fácil disseminação são consideradas invasoras de culturas. Através da colheita mecanizada da soja e milho pode ocorrer a contaminação destes grãos com sementes dessas espécies e entrar na formulação de ração para animais de produção. O gênero Crotalaria spp. possui alcaloides pirrolizidínicos de ação tóxica. A maioria das espécies desse gênero causam lesões hepáticas, com evolução aguda, ou, crônica. Frangos de corte de um dia de vida foram divididos em três grupos: Grupo A (sementes de C. pallida - doses diárias de 0,4%, 0,8%, 2,5% e doses únicas de 15% e 25%), Grupo B (sementes de C. lanceolata - doses diárias de 0,4%, 0,8%, 2,5% e doses únicas de 15% e 25%) e Grupo C (Controle). Os Grupos A e B foram divididos em cinco subgrupos, com oito frangos cada, que a partir do sétimo dia de vida, receberam as doses estabelecidas. Quatro frangos de cada grupo foram sacrificados aos 28 dias, e os quatro restantes aos 42 dias de vida. Também foram conduzidos experimentos com as sementes dessas duas plantas com aves de 28 dias, as quais foram divididas em três grupos: Grupo D (C. pallida - doses de 1% e 2% diariamente, durante vinte dias), Grupo E (C. lanceolata - doses de 1% e 2% diariamente, durante vinte dias) e Grupo F (Controle). Cada grupo composto por quatro aves. Estas aves foram sacrificadas ao completarem 80 dias de vida. Sementes de C. lanceolata demonstraram maior toxicidade para frangos de corte do que sementes de C. pallida. Os sinais clínicos foram inapetência, penas arrepiadas e diarreia acastanhada. Na macroscopia observou-se edema subcutâneo, ascite, hidropericárdio, fígado de coloração amarelada com hipertrofia e, ou, atrofia, evidenciação do padrão lobular e vesícula biliar distendida. As lesões histológicas presentes em todas as aves, em diferentes graus caracterizaram-se por tumefação e degeneração vacuolar de hepatócitos. Nas aves que manifestaram alterações clínicas e lesões macroscópicas, havia megalocitose, cariomegalia, hiperplasia do epitélio biliar, leve, esferoides eosinofílicos e invaginação nuclear com perda da arquitetura dos cordões de hepatócitos.

• Intoxicação experimental Crotalaria lanceolata E. Mey. Crotalaria pallida Aiton. Fabaceae plantas hepatotóxicas alcaloides pirrolizidínicos intoxicação por Crotalaria sp. frangos de corte toxicoses

Abstract in English:

Numerous plant species worldwide including some Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) and Sida (Malvaceae) species in Brazil cause lysosomal storage disease in herbivores and are known to contain swainsonine and calystegines as the main toxic compounds. The aim of this work was to determine swainsonine and calystegines concentrations in species of Convolvulaceae from the semiarid region of Pernambuco. Seven municipalities in the Moxotó region were visited and nine species were collected and screened for the presence of swainsonine and calystegines using an HPLC-APCI-MS method. The presence and concentration of these alkaloids within the same and in different species were very variable. Seven species are newly reported here containing swainsonine and/or calystegines. Ipomoea subincana contained just swainsonine. Ipomoea megapotamica, I. rosea and Jacquemontia corymbulosa contained swainsonine and calystegines. Ipomoea sericosepala, I. brasiliana, I. nil, I. bahiensis and I. incarnata contained just calystegines. The discovery of six Ipomoea species and one Jacquemontia species containing toxic polyhydroxy alkaloids reinforces the importance of this group of poisonous plants to ruminants and horses in the semiarid region of Pernambuco. Epidemiological surveys should be conducted to investigate the occurrence of lysosomal storage disease associated to these new species.

• Poisonous plant swainsonine calystegines Convolvulaceae species Pernambuco alkaloids lysosomal storage disease plant poisoning herbivores toxicoses

Abstract in Portuguese:

Numerosas espécies de plantas em todo o mundo, incluindo algumas espécies de Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) e Sida (Malvaceae) no Brasil, causam doença de armazenamento lisossomal em herbívoros e são conhecidas por conterem swainsonina e calisteginas como princípios tóxicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a concentração de swainsonina e calisteginas em espécies de Convolvulaceae da região semiárida de Pernambuco. Sete municípios na região do Sertão do Moxotó foram visitados, onde foram coletadas amostras das folhas de nove espécies de Convolvulaceae para avaliação da presença de swainsonina e calisteginas utilizando-se cromatografia líquida com espectrometria de massa. A presença e concentração destes alcaloides nas folhas de plantas da mesma espécie e dentre as espécies foram muito variáveis. Seis novas espécies de Ipomoea e uma espécie de Jacquemontia contendo swainsonina e/ou calisteginas são relatadas neste estudo. Ipomoea subincana continha apenas swainsonina. Ipomoea megapotamica, I. rosea e Jacquemontia corymbulosa continham swainsonina e calisteginas. Ipomoea sericosepala, I. brasiliana, I. nil, I. bahiensis e I. incarnata continham apenas calisteginas. A descoberta de novas espécies de Ipomoea e Jacquemontia contendo alcaloides polihidroxílicos tóxicos reforçam a importância deste grupo de plantas tóxicas para ruminantes e equinos na região semiárida de Pernambuco. Pesquisas epidemiológicas devem ser realizadas para investigar a ocorrência de doença de depósito lisossomal associada a essas novas espécies.

• Plantas tóxicas swainsonina calisteginas Convolvulaceae Pernambuco alcaloides doença de depósito lisossomal intoxicação por plantas herbívoros toxicoses

Abstract in English:

Plants of the genus Senecio sp. are known to produce hepatic lesions in different animal species, including man. To evaluate the toxicity of three species of Senecio found in regions where cattle are bred in the state of Santa Catarina, experiments were conducted on broiler chickens (Gallus domesticus). Green leaves of S. conyzaefolius, S. vernonioides and S. paulensis were collected and dried in the shade. After drying, the leaves were ground, mixed into the feed and fed to the chickens divided into 3 groups. Group 1 and Group 2 received single doses of 5g/kg and 20g/kg, respectively. Group 3 was given daily doses of 1g/kg for 20 days (values ​​corresponding to green plant) and Group 4 (control) received free feed of the plant. For each group, five chickens were submitted to necropsy at 30 days and five to 60 days after planting, and five chickens that consumed S. vernonioides and S. conyzaefolius at the dose of 1g/kg for 20 days were necropsied at 90 days after the beginning of the experiment. Macroscopic lesions were observed in chickens that consumed S. vernonioides at a dose of 1 g/kg for 20 days in birds necropsied at 30, 60 and 90 days and were characterized mainly by liver of firm consistency, diminished in size with yellowish coloration and evident lobular pattern, ascites and hydropericardium. In microscopy the main lesions observed were megalocytosis, hepatocyte swelling, fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia and were more intense at the dosage of 1 g/kg for 20 days for S. vernonioides and less severe in the chickens that ingested S. conyzaefolius. The chickens that received S. paulensis showed no macroscopic and microscopic lesions.

• Poisonous plants broiler chickens poisoning plants Senecio conyzaefolius S. vernonioides S. paulensis toxicoses

Abstract in Portuguese:

As plantas do gênero Senecio sp. são conhecidas por produzirem lesões hepáticas em diferentes espécies de animais, inclusive no homem. Para avaliar a toxicidade de três espécies de Senecio encontradas em regiões onde são criados bovinos no estado de Santa Catarina, foram conduzidos experimentos em frangos de corte (Gallus domesticus). Folhas verdes de S. conyzaefolius, S. vernonioides e S. paulensis foram coletadas e secadas a sombra. Após a secagem, as folhas foram trituradas, misturadas na ração e fornecidas aos frangos divididos em 3 grupos. O Grupo 1 e o Grupo 2 receberam doses únicas de 5g/kg e 20g/kg, respectivamente. Ao Grupo 3 foram fornecidas doses diárias de 1g/kg por 20 dias (valores correspondentes a planta verde) e o Grupo 4 (Controle) recebeu ração livre da planta. Para cada grupo, cinco frangos foram submetidos à necropsia aos 30 dias e cinco aos 60 dias após o início do fornecimento da planta e cinco frangos que consumiram S. vernonioides e S. conyzaefolius na dosagem de 1g/kg por 20 dias foram necropsiados aos 90 dias após início do experimento. Lesões macroscópicas foram observadas nos frangos que consumiram S. vernonioides na dose de 1g/kg por 20 dias nas aves necropsiadas aos 30, 60 e 90 dias e se caracterizaram principalmente por fígado de consistência firme, diminuído de tamanho com coloração amarelada e padrão lobular evidente, ascite e hidropericárdio. Na microscopia as principais lesões observadas foram megalocitose, tumefação de hepatócitos, fibrose e hiperplasia biliar e foram mais intensas na dosagem de 1g/kg por 20 dias para S. vernonioides e menos graves nos frangos que ingeriram S. conyzaefolius. Os frangos que receberam S. paulensis não mostraram lesões macroscópicas e microscópicas.

• Plantas tóxicas frangos de corte intoxicação por plantas Senecio conyzaefolius S. vernonioides S. paulensis toxicoses

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Stigger A.L., Estima-Silva P., Fiss L., Coelho A.C.B., Santos B.L., Gardner D.R., Marcolongo-Pereira C. & Schild A.L. 2014. [Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (Asteraceae): a new cause of seneciosis in cattle in Southern Brazil.] Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (Asteraceae): uma nova causa de seneciose em bovinos no Sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(9):851-855. Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: alschild@terra.com.br Two outbreaks of Senecio madagascariensis poisoning in cattle occurred in October 2013 in southern Brazil. Morbidity rate ranged were 3.2% and 6.1%, and lethality rate was 100%. A third case of poisoning occurred on a property in which out of 54 cattle one died with clinical signs of intoxication. In all cases, the cattle were in areas highly infested by S. madagascariensis that was in bloom. The clinical signs were diarrhea, tenesmus, opisthotonus, and progressive weight loss. Death occurred between 10 and 15 days after the onset of clinical signs. At necropsy, lesions were edema in the mesentery, in the wall of the rumen and abomasum, and in the walls of the gall bladder; the liver was firm with marbled aspect. Histologically, the liver had proliferation of fibrous connective tissue, especially in portal areas, hepatomegalocytosis, and bile duct hyperplasia. The observation of large number of S. madagascariensis in several farms in the counties of Arroio Grande, Pedro Osório and Capão do Leão reinforces that this plant is in the process of adaptation and dissemination in this region and that other outbreaks may occur in coming years. The cases reported here apparently resulted from the consumption of the plant during the fall/winter of 2013, when it was in bloom. The quantification of alkaloids in S. madagascariensis revealed the presence of 500 μg/g and 4000μg/g of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the dry plant from two properties. It is believed that the large amount of the plant in the areas where the animals were and the amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids found were factors that contributed to the occurrence of outbreaks.

• Poisonous plants Senecio madagascariensis Asteraceae seneciosis plant poisoning plantas tóxicas seneciose intoxicação por plantas

Abstract in Portuguese:

RESUMO.- Stigger A.L., Estima-Silva P., Fiss L., Coelho A.C.B., Santos B.L., Gardner D.R., Marcolongo-Pereira C. & Schild A.L. 2014. [Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (Asteraceae): a new cause of seneciosis in cattle in Southern Brazil.] Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (Asteraceae): uma nova causa de seneciose em bovinos no Sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 34(9):851-855. Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, Pelotas, RS 96010-900, Brazil. E-mail: alschild@terra.com.br Descrevem-se dois surtos de intoxicação por Senecio madagascariensis Poir. diagnosticados em bovinos em outubro de 2013 na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. A morbidade foi de 3,2% e de 6,1% respectivamente e a letalidade foi de 100%. Um terceiro caso da intoxicação ocorreu em uma propriedade na qual de 54 bovinos um morreu com sinais clínicos da intoxicação. Em todos os casos, os bovinos estavam em áreas altamente infestas por S. madagascariensis que se encontrava em floração. Os sinais clínicos caracterizaram-se por diarreia, tenesmo, opistótono e emagrecimento progressivo e a morte ocorreu entre 10 e 15 dias após o início dos sinais clínicos. Nas necropsias as lesões eram de edema do mesentério, das paredes do abomaso e do rúmen, e das paredes da vesícula biliar, além de fígado firme e com aspecto marmorizado. Histologicamente havia no fígado proliferação de tecido conjuntivo fibroso, principalmente nos espaços porta, megalocitose e hiperplasia de ductos biliares. A observação de grande quantidade de S. madagascariensis em várias propriedades nos municípios de Arroio Grande, Pedro Osório e Capão do Leão a partir do ano 2013 sugere que esta planta está em pleno processo de adaptação e disseminação nesta região e que outros surtos podem ocorrer nos próximos anos. Os surtos relatados aparentemente resultaram do consumo da planta durante o outono/inverno de 2013, quando a mesma estava já em floração. A quantificação dos alcaloides revelou a presença de 500 µg/g e 4000µg/g de planta seca de alcaloides pirrolizidínicos em duas das três propriedades com casos de seneciose. Acredita-se que a grande quantidade de planta existente nas áreas onde os animais estavam e a quantidade de alcaloides presentes na mesma foram fatores que determinaram a ocorrência dos surtos.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Lima D.D.C.C., Albuquerque R.F., Rocha B.P., Barros M.E.G., Gardner D.R., Medeiros R.M.T., Riet-Correa F. & Mendonça F.S. 2013. [Lysosomal storage disease induced by the consumption of Ipomoea verbascoidea (Convolvulaceae) in goats at northeastern Brazil.] Doença de depósito lisossomal induzida pelo consumo de Ipomoea verbascoidea (Convolvulaceae) em caprinos no semiárido de Pernambuco. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 33(7):867-872. Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil. E-mail: mendonca@dmfa.ufrpe.br The aim of this paper was to reproduce the poisoning of Ipomoea verbascoidea in goats and describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of spontaneous poisoning by this plant in Pernambuco. For this, we studied the epidemiology of the disease in seven municipalities in the semiarid region of the State. Three spontaneously poisoned goats were examined and then euthanized and necropsied (Group I). To reproduce the disease, the dried leaves of I. verbascoidea containing 0.02% swainsonine were supplied at doses of 4g/kg (0.8mg swainsonine/kg) to two groups of three animals. The goats in Group II received daily doses of the plant during 40 days and were euthanized on the 41st day of the experiment. Goats from Group III received daily doses of the plant during 55 days and were euthanized on the 120th day of the experiment. Other three goats constituted the control group (Group IV). In experimental groups, the brain lesions were evaluated by histopathology; additionally the cerebellar lesions were evaluated by morphometry, by measuring the molecular layer thickness, the number of Purkinje cells and the area of the cell bodies of these cells. The main clinical signs and microscopic lesions in goats poisoned were similar to those reported by swainsonine containing plants. In goats of GII and GIII, the first nervous signs were observed between 22th and 29th days; clinically, the disease developed by these animals was similar to the spontaneous cases. The goats of GIII did not recover from the neurologic signs. These results show that the consumption of the plant by 26-28 days after observation of the first clinical signs is enough to cause irreversible damage. By morphometric analysis, the molecular layer of the cerebellum of the goats of Group I and III were thinner than those of goats in the control group, and Purkinje neurons were atrophic. It is suggested that these changes are responsible for the neurological picture observed in goats that stop eating the plant and have sequelae of poisoning.

• Poisonous plants plant poisoning lysosomal storage disease swainsonine Ipomoea verbascoidea Convolvulaceae plantas tóxicas intoxicação por planta doenças de depósito lisossomal swainsonina

Abstract in Portuguese:

RESUMO.- Lima D.D.C.C., Albuquerque R.F., Rocha B.P., Barros M.E.G., Gardner D.R., Medeiros R.M.T., Riet-Correa F. & Mendonça F.S. 2013. [Lysosomal storage disease induced by the consumption of Ipomoea verbascoidea (Convolvulaceae) in goats at northeastern Brazil.] Doença de depósito lisossomal induzida pelo consumo de Ipomoea verbascoidea (Convolvulaceae) em caprinos no semiárido de Pernambuco. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 33(7):867-872. Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil. E-mail: mendonca@dmfa.ufrpe.br O objetivo deste trabalho foi reproduzir a intoxicação por Ipomoea verbascoidea em caprinos e descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e histopatológicos da intoxicação espontânea por essa planta no Estado de Pernambuco. Para isso, realizou-se o acompanhamento da epidemiologia da doença em sete municípios do semiárido pernambucano. Três caprinos espontaneamente intoxicados foram examinados e, em seguida eutanasiados e necropsiados (Grupo I). Para reproduzir experimentalmente a doença, as folhas secas de I. verbascoidea contendo 0,02% de swainsonina, foram fornecidas na dose de 4g/kg (0,8mg de swainsonina/kg) a dois grupos de três animais. Os caprinos do Grupo II receberam a planta diariamente por 40 dias e foram eutanasiados no 41º dia de experimento. Os caprinos do Grupo III receberam a planta diariamente por 55 dias e foram eutanasiados no 120º dia de experimento. Outros três caprinos constituíram o grupo controle (Grupo IV). Nos grupos experimentais, as lesões encefálicas foram avaliadas por histopatologia e adicionalmente avaliaram-se as lesões cerebelares por morfometria, mediante mensuração da espessura da camada molecular, do número de neurônios de Purkinje e da área dos corpos celulares dessas células. Os principais sinais clínicos e lesões microscópicas foram semelhantes aos previamente reportados em animais intoxicados por plantas que contem swainsonina. Nos caprinos do GII e GIII, os primeiros sinais clínicos foram observados entre o 22º e 29º dia de experimento; clinicamente a doença desenvolvida por esses animais foi semelhante aos casos espontâneos. Nenhum dos caprinos do GIII se recuperou dos sinais neurológicos. Esse resultado evidencia que o consumo da planta por 26-28 dias após a observação dos primeiros sinais clínicos é suficiente para provocar lesões irreversíveis. Pela análise morfométrica, a camada molecular do cerebelo dos caprinos do Grupo I e III eram mais delgadas que às dos caprinos do grupo controle, e os neurônios de Purkinje estavam atróficos. Sugere-se que essas alterações sejam responsáveis pelo quadro clínico neurológico observado nos caprinos que deixam de ingerir a planta e apresentam seqüelas da intoxicação.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Barbosa R.C., Riet-Correa F., Lima E.F., Medeiros R.M.T., Guedes K.M.R, Gardner D.R., Molyneux R.J. & Melo L.E.H. 2007. Experimental swainsonine poisoning in goats ingesting Ipomoea sericophylla and Ipomoea riedelii (Convolvulaceae). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(10):409-414. Hospital Veterinário, CSTR, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Campus de Patos, 58700-000 Patos, Paraíba, Brazil. E-mail: franklin.riet@pq.cnpq.br Ipomoea sericophylla and Ipomoea riedelii cause a glycoprotein storage disease in goats. This paper reports the experimental poisoning in goats by dried I. sericophylla and I. riedelii containing 0.05% and 0.01% swainsonine, respectively. Three groups with four animals each were used. Group 1 received daily doses of 2g/kg body weight (bw) of dried I. sericophylla (150mg of swainsonine/kg). Goats from this group had clinical signs 36-38 days after the start of ingestion. Group 2 received dried I. riedelii daily doses of 2g/kg of I. riedelii (30mg of swainsonine/kg) for 70 days. No clinical signs were observed, therefore the swainsonine dose was increased to 60mg/kg for another 70 days. Goats from Group 2 had clinical signs 26-65 days after increase in swainsonine dose to 60mg/kg. Group 3 was used as control. In these experiments the minimum toxic dose was 60mg/kg which represents 0.0004% of the dry matter in goats ingesting 1.5% bw of the dry matter. For goats ingesting 2%-2.5% bw of dry matter this dose would be 0.00024%-0.0003% of the dry matter. After the end of the experiment two goats were euthanized and another six were observed for recovery of clinical signs. Four goats that continued to consume swainsonine containing plant for 39-89 days after the first clinical signs had non reversible signs, while two goats that ingested the plant for only 15 and 20 days after the first clinical signs recovered completely. These and previous results indicate that irreversible lesions due to neuronal loss occur in goats that continue to ingest the plants for about 30 days after the first clinical signs. Clinical signs and histological lesions were similar to those reported previously for goats poisoned by swainsonine containing plants. No significant alterations were found in packed cell volume, red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, mean corpuscular volume, and serum levels of glucose, total protein, and albumin, and the serum activities of gamma glutamyl transferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Swainsonine concentration of 0.05% in I. sericophylla and 0.01% in I. riedelii are different from samples of these plants used in previous experiments, which contained 0.14% and 0.5% swainsonine, respectively, demonstrating a wide variation in the toxicity of different samples.

• Poisonous plants plant poisoning lysosomal storage disease swainsonine goats Ipomoea sericophylla Ipomoea riedelii

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Barbosa R.C., Riet-Correa F., Lima E.F., Medeiros R.M.T., Guedes K.M.R, Gardner D.R., Molyneux R.J. & Melo L.E.H. 2007. Experimental swainsonine poisoning in goats ingesting Ipomoea sericophylla and Ipomoea riedelii (Convolvulaceae). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 27(10):409-414. Hospital Veterinário, CSTR, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. Campus de Patos, 58700-000 Patos, Paraíba, Brazil. E-mail: franklin.riet@pq.cnpq.br Ipomoea sericophylla and Ipomoea riedelii cause a glycoprotein storage disease in goats. This paper reports the experimental poisoning in goats by dried I. sericophylla and I. riedelii containing 0.05% and 0.01% swainsonine, respectively. Three groups with four animals each were used. Group 1 received daily doses of 2g/kg body weight (bw) of dried I. sericophylla (150mg of swainsonine/kg). Goats from this group had clinical signs 36-38 days after the start of ingestion. Group 2 received dried I. riedelii daily doses of 2g/kg of I. riedelii (30mg of swainsonine/kg) for 70 days. No clinical signs were observed, therefore the swainsonine dose was increased to 60mg/kg for another 70 days. Goats from Group 2 had clinical signs 26-65 days after increase in swainsonine dose to 60mg/kg. Group 3 was used as control. In these experiments the minimum toxic dose was 60mg/kg which represents 0.0004% of the dry matter in goats ingesting 1.5% bw of the dry matter. For goats ingesting 2%-2.5% bw of dry matter this dose would be 0.00024%-0.0003% of the dry matter. After the end of the experiment two goats were euthanized and another six were observed for recovery of clinical signs. Four goats that continued to consume swainsonine containing plant for 39-89 days after the first clinical signs had non reversible signs, while two goats that ingested the plant for only 15 and 20 days after the first clinical signs recovered completely. These and previous results indicate that irreversible lesions due to neuronal loss occur in goats that continue to ingest the plants for about 30 days after the first clinical signs. Clinical signs and histological lesions were similar to those reported previously for goats poisoned by swainsonine containing plants. No significant alterations were found in packed cell volume, red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, mean corpuscular volume, and serum levels of glucose, total protein, and albumin, and the serum activities of gamma glutamyl transferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Swainsonine concentration of 0.05% in I. sericophylla and 0.01% in I. riedelii are different from samples of these plants used in previous experiments, which contained 0.14% and 0.5% swainsonine, respectively, demonstrating a wide variation in the toxicity of different samples.