 |
|
|
|
Year 2011 - Volume 31, Number 1
|
|
Experimental polioencephalomalacia in cattle induced by sulfur toxicosis, 31(1):41-52
|
ABSTRACT.- Cunha P.H.J., Badial P.R., Cagnini D.Q., Oliveira Filho J.P., Moraes L.F., Takahira R.K., Amorim R.L. & Borges A.S. 2011. [Experimental polioencephalomalacia in cattle induced by sulfur toxicosis.] Polioencefalomalacia experimental em bovinos induzida por toxicose por enxofre. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 31(1):41-52. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rua 13 no.278, Apto 400, Plaza Residencial Sol de La Plaza, Setor Oeste, Goiânia, GO 74120-060, Brazil. E-mail: phcunhavet@yahoo.com.br
The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical signs, the ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration and the histological lesions induced by sulfur toxicosis in cattle. Ten crossbred calves were fed an experimental diet, four without sodium sulfate (G1) and six with (G2). The calves were submitted to clinical (rectal temperature, cardiac and respiratory rate and ruminal motricity) and laboratorial (hemogram, fibrinogen, total plasma protein, ruminal fluid pH, ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration, cerebrospinal fluid and histopathological) evaluations. Rectal temperature, cardiac rate, hemogram, fibrinogen, total plasma protein, ruminal fluid pH and cerebrospinal fluid values were within normal reference ranges in animals from both groups. Ruminal hypomotricity and increased respiratory rate and ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration occurred in G2 animals. One out of six calves in G2 developed neurological signs and lesions of PEM. Two calves of each Group were euthanized. Microscopic lesions of PEM were observed in G2 animals. Histologically there were cortical neuronal necrosis and hemorrhagic lesions in basal nuclei, thalamus, midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. The experimental model consisting of a diet with high carbohydrate and low in long fiber content with high sulfur concentrations (0.52%) resulted in clinical and histological abnormalities and high ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentration consistent with sulpur toxicosis in cattle. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
