The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the species on the toxicokinetics of cyanide and its main metabolite, thiocyanate. Forty-two rats, six pigs and six goats were dosed orally with 3.0 mg KCN/kg body weight, and cyanide and thiocyanate concentrations in blood were measured within 24 h. After the single oral dose, KCN was rapidly absorbed by rats and goats, with a time of peak concentration ( T(max)) of 15 min. The maximum plasma concentration ( C(max)) of cyanide was observed in goats (93.5 micro mol/l), whereas the C(max) of thiocyanate was higher in rats (58.1 micro mol/l). The elimination half-life ( t(1/2)) and volume of distribution ( Vd(area)) of both cyanide and thiocyanate were higher in goats (1.28 and 13.9 h, and 0.41 and 1.76 l/kg, respectively). Whereas the area under the curve (AUC) of cyanide was significantly higher in goats (234.6 micro mol.l/h), the AUC of thiocyanate was higher in rats (846.5 micro mol.l/h). In conclusion, the results of the present study support the hypothesis that the metabolism of cyanide and its main metabolite, thiocyanate, is species-linked, with the goat being more sensitive to the toxic effects of cyanide/thiocyanate.

-The present work was aimed at evaluating the effects of maternal exposure to potassium cyanide (KCN) during lactation in goats. Twenty-seven lactating female goats were orally dosed with 0 (control), 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 mg KCN/kg body weight/day from lactation days 0 to 90. After this period, all male kids and one mother from each group were killed for a pathological study. Cyanide treatment promoted the clinical signs of maternal toxicity in the highest KCN group but did not affect body weight. Both cyanide and thiocyanate presented increased levels in both dams and kids from the treated groups. Microscopic lesions, but without alterations on the biochemical panel, were found in the brain, thyroid, liver, and kidneys of both dams and kids from the treated groups. These findings suggest that lactating offspring can be indirectly intoxicated by maternal exposure to cyanide.cyanide / thiocyanate / milk / goat

Determinação das atividades séricas de creatina quinase, lactato desidrogenase e aspartato aminotransferase em eqüinos de diferentes categorias de atividade [Determination of serum activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase in horses of different activities classes]

A tuberculose bovina é uma doença infecciosa crônica e debilitante que pode infectar humanos. Uma importante etapa para o controle é a determinação da prevalência nos rebanhos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a prevalência da tuberculose bovina em Mossoró, RN. Inicialmente foi realizada uma avaliação de risco para a ocorrência da tuberculose bovina em 21 propriedades da região avaliada. Foram testadas 150 vacas leiteiras por meio do teste da prega caudal. Também foram avaliados outros 120 bovinos pelo teste da tuberculinização cervical comparada. Os resultados revelaram falta de conhecimento dos proprietários sobre o controle da doença, bem como o descuido no momento da aquisição de animais. A prevalência foi de 8,66% e 3,33% nos testes da prega caudal e cervical comparativo, respectivamente. Assim, foi verificada uma prevalência de tuberculose bovina bastante elevada, sendo superior à média nacional.

No abstract

As plantas tóxicas são importantes causas de patologias em animais de interesse pecuário no Brasil. Para que uma planta apontada como responsável por intoxicações acidentais venha a ser classificada como espécie tóxica, sua toxicidade deve ser comprovada experimentalmente em animais. No entanto, a sociedade atual vem clamando por redução na utilização de animais em pesquisas científicas, fazendo com que testes de toxicidade in vitro sejam cada vez mais empregados. Como falta validação para o uso destes testes para avaliação de plantas tóxicas, seu uso prático se torna inviável. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia do teste de ação hemolítica in vitro para avaliação preliminar da toxicidade de plantas, usando espécies com toxicidade conhecida. As espécies de plantas usadas foram Crotalaria retusa, Ipomoea asarifolia, Ipomoea fistulosa, Datura stramonium, Nerium oleander, Ricinus communis, Lantana camara, Dieffenbachia picta e Alocacia sp. e Calotropis procera. Todas estas amostras foram submetidas à avaliação da ação hemolítica in vitro, utilizando-se uma suspensão de eritrócitos de eqüino. Nenhuma das plantas utilizadas apresentou este efeito hemolítica. Assim, é possível afirmar que a utilização do teste de hemólise in vitro é ineficaz para a avaliação preliminar, como triagem, de plantas tóxicas. Deste modo, o uso de animais de laboratório atualmente permanece sendo a forma mais eficaz de identificação de novas espécies de plantas tóxicas.Descritores: plantas tóxicas, in vitro, testes de toxicidade.

Background: Despite the proven copper deficiency in several parts of Brazil, reports of acute and accumulative copper poisoning are increasing in ruminants. Sheep are known to be far more sensible to copper toxicity than cattle, but the sensibility of goats is not quite known. The present paper aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, laboratorial and pathological findings of two outbreaks of accumulative copper poisoning in sheep fed poultry litter in Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil, and to compare these findings with national outbreaks.Cases: Two outbreaks of copper poisoning occurred in the municipalities of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte [outbreak 1], and Icapuí, Ceará [outbreak 2], Brazil. A total of 35 sheep [outbreak 1] and 190 small ruminants (175 sheep and 15 goats) [outbreak 2] were fed poultry litter. First clinical signs of poisoning started after two months of litter consumption. Main clinical signs were apathy, jaundice, hepatomegaly, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and dark urine. Clinical evolution varied between one and eight days. Laboratorial findings in ill animals consisted of anemia, highly increased serum AST and GGT activities and urea and creatinine levels; whilst in the non symptomatic sheep and one goat revealed high and light GGT increase, respectively. Poultry litter analysis revealed levels of 449, 2610, 414 and 333 mg/kg of copper, iron, manganese and zinc, respectively. Analysis of copper levels by atomic absorption spectrometry in two sheep showed 730.1 and 1526.5 mg/kg in liver and 485.1 and 519.4 mg/kg in the kidneys. Treatment consisted of oral administration of 100 mg ammonium molibdate and 1 g sodium sulphate for five days. A total of 32 sheep died and necropsy of five animals showed deep jaundice, livers presenting a yellow to orange coloration, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, blackish kidneys and dark urine. The microscopic examination of liver and kidneys showed degenerative and necrotic lesions.Discussion: This is the first report of copper poisoning in sheep from Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará, Northeastern Brazil. Even though it is not allowed in Brazil, the use of poultry litter for animal feeding still occurs and represents a great risk for copper poisoning in ruminants, especially sheep. The use of poultry litter should be discouraged to producers for feeding ruminants and requires more awareness of them that the use of this product is prohibited for this purpose. Clinical signs were typical of accumulative copper poisoning and the most evident changes in the serum biochemistry analyses were anemia and increased serum AST and GGT activities and urea and creatinine levels. Serum activity of GGT in a non symptomatic goat was slight increased, which is suggestive of an initial liver damage promoted by copper accumulation. Main pathological changes are associated to liver and kidney damage. Measurement of copper levels in liver and kidney fragments by atomic absorption spectrometry confirmed the diagnosis of poisoning by this element. Oral administration of ammonium molibdate associated to sodium sulphate was efficient for the treatment of poisoned sheep because both compounds reduce digestive absorption and increase excretion of copper. The absence of poisoning in goats fed the same poultry litter confirms that this species is more resistant than sheep to copper toxicity. Nevertheless further research must be carried out to test this sensibility. The use of poultry litter should be discouraged to producers for feeding ruminants and requires more awareness of them that the use of this product is prohibited for this purpose.Keywords: jaundice, hemoglobinuric nephrosis, poultry litter, small ruminants.

Resumo: Os polinizadores estão entre os componentes essenciais para o funcionamento dos ecossistemas em geral, pois é essencial para a reprodução e manutenção da diversidade de espécies de plantas e provê alimentos para humanos e animais, influenciando, também, o aspecto qualitativo da produção. Atualmente, a densidade populacional de muitos polinizadores está sendo reduzida a níveis que podem comprometer os serviços de polinização. O declínio das populações de abelhas melíferas (Apis mellifera) e outras abelhas tem impactado na produção agrícola mundial e tem um impacto claro sobre a produção de alimentos e da economia. Uma das causas prováveis para este declínio é o uso indiscriminado de agrotóxicos. Os efeitos dos diferentes grupos de praguicidas sobre as abelhas é discutido.Palavras chave: inseticidas, polinizadores, contaminação ambiental, ecotoxicologia, toxicologia ambiental Abstract: Pollinators are among the essential components for the functioning of ecosystems in general, because it is essential for the reproduction and maintenance of the diversity of plant species and provide food for humans and animals, also influencing the qualitative aspect of the production. Currently, the population density of many pollinators are being reduced to levels that can impair pollination services. The decline of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and other bees populations impacts global agricultural production and has a clear impact on both food production and the economy. One of the probable causes for this decline is the indiscriminate use of pesticides. The effects of different groups of pesticides on bees is discussed.