Hepatotoxicity in sheep and goats caused by experimental feeding with foxtail millet [Setaria italic]

Some species of grass cause poisoning and hepatogenous photosensitization in animals. Feeding trials were conducted in sheep and goats to evaluate the hepatotoxic effects of Setaria italica [S. italic]. Twelve indigenous male sheep and goats were used in this study. The animals were kept outdoors against prevailing climatic conditions. They were fed with S. italica freely for 50 days. Some biochemical factors associated with liver function, such as total bilirubin [TBIL], direct bilirubin [BC], aspartate amino transferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], gamma glutamyltransferase [GGT] activities, blood urea nitrogen [BUN] total protein [TP], and albumin [ALB], were measured on day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 of the experiment. On the 50[th] day, the animals were sacrificed and necropsied, then the gall bladder and livers were removed for pathological study. Blood samples on day 0 [prior to feeding with S. italic] were set as the control group. Three sheep and 3 goats showed signs of intoxication, including facial edema, mucus hyperemia, runny nose, lacrimation, and icterus. Post-mortem examination revealed varying degrees of generalized icterus, degeneration, necrosis and cell swelling of hepatocytes, formation of acidophilic bodies, and mild hyperplasia in biliary ducts. Clinical signs, laboratory findings, and necropsy findings, support the potential of S. italica in the induction of hepatotoxicity and secondary photosensitivity in sheep and goats

[Evaluation of the oxidative status in calves within 3 days of birth]

Background: Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between the reactive oxygen species [ROS] and a biological system's ability to readily detoxify the oxidative agents. Disturbances in the normal redox state of cells can cause toxic effects through production of peroxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oxidative status in calves within 3 days of birth

Methods: Twenty calves from Zagros dairy farm were selected. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at 0 [before administration of colostrum], 24, 48 and 72 hours after birth for measurement of serum levels of TBARS, Superoxide dismutase and catalase

Results: The results indicated higher levels of serum malondialdehyde concentration at birth that subsequently decreased at 24 and 48 hours after birth [p<0.05]. There were lower levels of serum concentration of catalase at birth that followed by increasing in it at 24 and 48 hours after birth [p<0.05]. Also, the concentration of superoxide dismutase was lower at the birth that subsequently increased at 24 hours after birth [p<0.05]

Conclusions: Based on this study, it seems that antioxidant capacity of calves has been increased within 3 days of birth. Improvement of oxidative status in calves could be due to gradual increasing of their antioxidative capacity and also beneficial effects of colostrums

[Endocarditis associated with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in a fat-tailed ram]

Endocarditis is rarely reported in sheep and information presented for ovine endocarditis is based mostly on comparative findings in the cattle. Infective vegetative endocarditis of the right heart was diagnosed in a 3-year-old fat-tailed ram. Clinical findings included tachycardia, marked brisket edema, jugular veins distention and pulsation and pale mucous membranes. Hematologic abnormality included neutrophilic leukocytosis. Necropsy confirmed severe right atrioventricular and pulmonary valves vegetative endocarditis with evidence of right heart failure. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from those vegetative lisions.

Effect of long-term onion [Allium cepa] feeding on antioxidant enzymes in goat erythrocyte

The effect of long-term onion consumption on red blood cell antioxidant enzymes [glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx]], were measured. The relationship of these enzymes with PCV and hemoglobin [Hb] concentrations was also determined. Twelve adult female goats were used for the experiment and randomly assigned to three groups. Animals of group 1 and 2 received diets containing 30% and 60% spring onions [DM basis] for 60 days, respectively. Goats of group 3 served as control and were fed whole alfalfa hay. Blood samples were obtained before feeding onion and every 10 days up to 80 days. In the onion groups, PCV amounts decreased from day 10 and reached the lowest value at day 40. Although onion consumption reduced PCV, the measures were within the normal range for goats. G6PD activity decreased from day 10 and the lowest value was detected at day 40. After day 40, a slow and gradual return toward the baseline values was seen. In the onion groups, SOD showed a negative correlation with PCV and Hb [P<0.01]. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between G6PD and Hb [P<0.01]. It seems that up to 60% of onions in diet can be consumed by goats without noticeable clinical anaemia. Moreover, it seems that SOD has a compensatory role in protection of erythrocytes against oxidative stress induced by onion consumption in goats

[ effects of orally administered allicin on serum activity of some enzymes in experimental lead poisoning in common carp [cyprinus carpio]]

Lead poisoning in aquatic animals is of special importance, as is also true for all living creatures. Alicin, one of the main active components of garlic, is expected to play a protective role against lead poisoning, due to its abundant sulfur amino acids. This research studied the toxic effects of lead in Common carp focusing on blood serum enzyme activities. The study focused on five groups each including 46 Common carp [100 +/- 10g]. The groups 2-5 received lead acetate at 7mg/Lfor 10 days. Group 3 received 5mg allicin/KgBwt; and Group 4 received daily amounts of 10mg allicin/KgBwt, beginning 5 days before lead acetate was added. Group 5 received the same as Group 4, but received allicin for the same period as it received lead acetate. At the end of the experimental period a measurement was made of serum enzymes including GGT, ALT, AST, LDH and ALP. The studied parameters in Group 2, which was exposed to lead, were significantly higher when compared to the Control Group [p<0.001]. The enzyme activities in groups receiving allicin [Groups 3-5] were significantly, and dose dependently, less than those of Group 2. However, no significant differences were observed between Groups 4 and 5. The results of the present research suggest a potent effect for allicin in alleviating tissue injuries following lead poisoning

Experimental oleander [Nerium oleander] poisoning in goats: a clinical and pathological study

Dried ole and er leaves at single lethal dose of 110 mg/kg body weight were administered orally to five native female goats. Clinical signs of toxicosis in goats began to appear about 1 hr after receiving the ole and er and included abdominal pain, ruminal atony and tympany, frequent urination, bradycardia, tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia, depression, weakness and convulsive movement and death at the end stage. Electrocardiography revealed sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, A-V dissociation, ventricular premature beats, depression of S-T segment, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Four goats died within 4 to 84 hrs and one survived. Haemorrhages in varying degrees in internal organs were observed at necropsy. Histopathology revealed extensive tubular necrosis in kidneys with haemosiderin pigment in the cytoplasm of convoluted tubular cells, varying degrees of coagulative necrosis of cardiac muscle cells associated with haemorrhage and infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells, scattered necrosis of hepatocytes, perivascular and perineural oedema, haemorrhagic foci and ischemic cell changes in brain, congestion and oedema in lungs. Severe hyperaemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells were also observed in tissue sections of forestomachs, abomasum and different parts of the intestines

effect of magnesium sulfate in treatment of experimental oleander [nerium oleander] poisoning in sheep

The purpose of this study was evaluation of magnesium sulfate effect in treatment of acute oleander intoxication in sheep. Eleven young native sheep randomly divided into 2 groups, 6 sheep being allocated to the treatment group and 5 served as controls. Sheep of both groups were dosed with a lethal dose of 110mg/kg body weight of dried oleander leaves. In sheep of treatment group, following development of ventricular arrhythmias, magnesium sulfate was slowly administered intravenously with dose rate of 100mg/kg body weight. Clinical signs of toxicosis were developed within 30 -40 minutes after dosing of the plant. Serial electrocardiography revealed various abnormalities and arrhythmias of cardiac rhythm in sheep of control group. Animals of control group died within 4.5 to 12 hours [median 8.5 hours] after receiving the toxic material. Administration of magnesium sulfate in sheep of treatment group suppressed ventricular arrhythmias to benign ones or normal sinus rhythm but its effect was transient and persisted for 3 to 3.5 hours. Second injection of magnesium had same effect but there was no considerable therapeutic effect after third injection of the drug. Sheep of treatment group died within 18 to 34 hours [median 24.5 hours] after receiving the oleander. Statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference in survival time between the control and the treatment groups [p < 0.004]. The results suggested that magnesium sulfate can be used as a complementary therapeutic agent for treatment of acute oleander toxicosis in farm animals. Artificial insemination [AI] is a selective method which has been used in commercial rabbitries and for research purposes. The results of pregnancy rates were observed here which were comparable with natural mating. This experiment is conducted to provide the potentials of AI in the breeding center and also to compare this technique with on going natural mating method. One hundred sexually matured Dutch does were randomly divided into two equal groups. Does from experimental group were inseminated with diluted fresh semen and single dose of 0.2 ml of GnRH analog [Receptal] to each/doe was immediately injected intramuscularly. Does of control group were naturally mated with mature Dutch bucks. The environmental conditions were same in the both groups. The results of study showed that the 62% of does in control group had developed pregnancy where as in AI group 60% were pregnant. This result indicates the conception rate is similar in both groups and differences are not statistically significant

[Sinoatrial block in the horse]

Long pauses in the cardiac rhythm of a horse suffering from colic were diagnosed at the time of cardiac auscultation. Electrocardiogram obtained from this horse showed that the long pause is due to sinoatrial block. If block disappears after exercise it is a physiological abnormality. In this horse the block was considered as a functional type