Natural and Experimental Poisoning of Cattle by Enterolobium contortisiliquum Pods (Fabaceae Mimosoideae) in Central-Western Brazil

Abstract

Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods are commonly identified as being the cause of abortions and photosensitivity in cattle. This paper describes the clinical and pathological aspects of a natural outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitization by the pods of E. contortisiliquum in Brazil and the results of experimental poisoning in three bovines. The history of natural poisoning was obtained at the site of the outbreak. Clinical examinations were carried out and hepatic enzymes were analyzed. A post-mortem examination was carried out at the outbreak location on a cow that had died. Several samples were collected from the animal's internal organs to carry out histopathological examinations. E. contortisiliquum pods were given to cows in order to reproduce the disease. The natural poisonings were characterized by photosensitization and aborted young. Enterolobium photosensitization was not experimentally reproduced, but the animals fell sick and recovered after 52 days.

Experimental poisoning by Enterolobium contortisiliquum in sheep

“…Digestive disorders are more frequently induced (Tokarnia et al 1999, Grecco et al 2002, Mendonça et al 2009. No photosensitization was observed in Sheep 6, despite the severity of liver damage, which may be because of its pigmented skin.…”

“…Photosensitivity associated with liver damage was described in cases of spontaneous intoxication by E. contortisiliquum (Grecco et al 2002, Mendonça et al 2009). Although this sheep had acess to Brachiaria sp until the beginning of the experiment, clinical signs of Brachiaria poisoning were absent and the AST and GGT serum activities were within normal ranges as experimental day 0.…”

“…Farmers and veterinary physicians reported hepatogenous photosensitivity and abortion as the principal clinical manifestations of this type of intoxication (Tokarnia et al 1999), however, these manifestations are rarely reproduced under experimental conditions (Tokarnia et al 1999, Mendonça et al 2009), or they are reproduced to a lesser extent (Grecco et al 2002). Digestive disorders are more frequently induced (Tokarnia et al 1999, Grecco et al 2002, Mendonça et al 2009.…”

“…Pods that fall spontaneously and pods attached to wind--fallen or pruned branches or lodged in intact plants are ingested by livestock, which may cause poisoning (Méndez & Riet-Correa 2007, Riet-Correa et al 2011. Spontaneous intoxication was reported in cattle (Grecco et al 2002, Mendonça et al 2009), sheep (Bezerra et al 2012) and goats (Benicio et al 2007). The toxic active compound, appa- rently, consists of saponins, which are toxic to macrophages and lymphocytes (Mimaki et al 2003(Mimaki et al , 2004.…”

“…The abortive properties of this plant were only demonstrated in guinea pigs (Bonel-Raposo et al 2008). Experiments in cattle reproduced acute digestive signs (Tokarnia et al 1999, Mendonça et al 2009). The underlying mechanisms of digestive system damage have not been elucidated.…”