Gossypol Toxicosis in a Dog Consequent to Ingestion of Cottonseed Bedding

Abstract

Abstract. Six dogs died after accidental ingestion of cottonseed bedding. No clinical signs of illness were observed prior to death. A full diagnostic workup was performed on one of these dogs. At necropsy, the lungs were congested and edematous, and the liver was firm, congested, and had a marked reticular pattern. There was also moderate ascites. Histopathologic examination revealed multifocal myocardial degeneration and necrosis, severe pulmonary edema, and chronic passive congestion of the lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys. Transmission electron microscopy of the myocardium revealed disruption of myofibrils, chromatin condensation, and disrupted and swollen mitochondria. The cottonseed bedding contained 1,600 mg/kg of free gossypol, a concentration considered toxic for monogastric animals. The stomach content revealed the presence of gossypol, thus confirming ingestion of cottonseed. Gossypol poisoning in dogs is extremely rare and has not yet been associated with cottonseed bedding. This first documented case of gossypol poisoning in a dog, caused by the ingestion of cottonseed bedding, demonstrates how specific toxicological analysis is crucial in reaching an accurate diagnosis.Key words: Cottonseed; dogs; gossypol; high-performance liquid chromatography; toxicosis.Although dogs are highly susceptible to gossypol poisoning, only 1 documented case of natural poisoning following ingestion of cottonseed meal exists. 15 Most cases of gossypol poisoning have been reported in poultry, 8 swine, 7 cattle, 19 sheep, 13 and goats, 4 as whole cottonseed, cottonseed meal, and hulls are commonly fed to livestock as a source of energy, protein, and fiber. Cottonseed contains gossypol, a polyphenolic pigment, which is found in the endosperm of the seeds and in the stems and roots of the cotton plant. 3 In processed forms of cottonseed, gossypol exists as both free and bound forms. The free form of gossypol is toxic to humans and animals and is the primary form found in recently harvested and properly stored whole cottonseed. Free gossypol exists as a racemic mixture of (ϩ) and (Ϫ) enantiomers. The (Ϫ) isomer exerts most of the antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and antifertility effects. 9 The bound form of gossypol, which results from cottonseed processing when gossypol binds to proteins, is considered nontoxic due to its inability to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, although evidence exists that some dissociation can occur in the intestinal tract. Much of the toxicity of gossypol is attributed to a cumulative effect over several weeks to months, although sudden death has been observed and attributed to alteration of myocardial conduction. 13,19 Gossypol toxicity can also result in kidney and hepatic damage, protein malnutrition, reduced weight gain, and reproductive defects. 14 Monogastrics and prefunctional ruminants are more susceptible than adult cattle to gossypol. Although research interest in gossypol toxicity in the veterinary field has mainly focused on its potent cardiotoxic 2 and male antifertility e...

Gossypol Toxicity from Cottonseed Products

“…However, there are cumulative effects of dietary gossypol and toxicity which can occur following an ingestion period of one to three months [1, 78–81]. Gossypol poisoning has been reported in many species, including broiler chicks [82], pigs [71], dogs [83, 84], sheep [85], and goats [86]. Monogastric animals, such as pigs, birds, fish, and rodents, are more susceptible to gossypol toxicity than ruminants [5, 6, 20, 87].…”

Biological Properties of Schiff Bases and Azo Derivatives of Phenols

“…The toxicity of gossypol is linked to two aldehyde groups in the molecule [60,[112][113][114][115][116][117]. Transformation of gossypol into its Schiff bases is a convenient way to obtain a group of derivatives with lower toxicity [9,118,119] and still interesting biological as well as physico-chemical properties.…”

Malvaceae Juss.

“…In an unusual situation, cottonseed bedding was reported to be the cause of death in a 4 -month-old puppy and possibly the cause of death in 5 other dogs eating the bedding (Uzal et al 2005). In an unusual situation, cottonseed bedding was reported to be the cause of death in a 4 -month-old puppy and possibly the cause of death in 5 other dogs eating the bedding (Uzal et al 2005).…”