[Rapeseed poisoning of wild herbivores]. / Rapsvergiftung wildlebender Pflanzenfresser.

Beginning with the simultaneous occurrence of the first extensive sowing of 00-rape and local increased losses among hares and roe deer in Western Germany and Austria at the end of 1986, the clinical and morphological symptoms of rape poisoning are discussed. They consist of damage to endo- and epithelium, cell membranes, blood, liver and in the so called "rape-blindness". Subsequently, the most important toxic agents of rape including their metabolites are presented. They consist in alkenyl- and indolyl-glucosinolates, leading to isothiocyanates (mustard oils), thiocyanates or thiocyanate ions resp., nitriles and antithyroid agents (e.g. goitrin) as well as S-methylcysteine sulphoxide and its metabolites, particularly dimethyl disulphide. Finally, the activity spectrum of the toxic agents or the metabolites and the clinical picture of the affected wildlife in 1986 are compared with the result that the losses of that period are most likely to be traced back to rape poisoning and that the rape-blindness mentioned is to be interpreted as a thiocyanate-psychosis.

Rapeseed induced liver haemorrhage, reticulolysis and biochemical changes in laying hens: the effects of feeding high and low glucosinolate meals.

Rapeseed meal hepatosis was produced by feeding high and low glucosinolate meals as a source of protein (about 200 g kg-1 diet) but could not be distinguished histologically from fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome which occurred in birds on the control diet. Both types of meal increased haemorrhage, reticulolysis and lymphoproliferation in the liver, reduced the packed cell volume and caused thyroid enlargement. Haemorrhages emanated from ruptured intrahepatic portal veins, capillaries and sinusoids and were associated with degenerative changes in vessel walls. Haemorrhage and reticulin scores were correlated. Parenchymal necrosis occurred only around large haematomas and caused increased aspartate transaminase activity in the plasma. Both meals also caused hyperglycaemia and reduced the plasma triglyceride content. Only the high glucosinolate meal decreased egg production, caused liver enlargement and reduced the plasma urate level. The addition of myrosinase enhanced its effects on egg production and packed cell volume but did not increase its hepatotoxicity.

Acute poisoning in cattle after eating old non-viable seed of chou moellier (Brassica oleracea convar. acephala).

Thirty cows gained access to a heap of discarded seed of chou moellier that had been stored in a barn for 10 years. Within 24 h 2 cows were dead and one was acutely ill. The outstanding lesion was oedema of the wall of the rumen. The toxicity was attributed to damage to blood vessels in the rumen wall resulting in marked loss of fluid.