phomopsin and Plant-Poisoning

Lupinosis was produced in sheep in four experiments by administering a toxic extract of Phomopsis leptostromiformis by various routes and at various dose rates. The course of the intoxication was followed by plasma biochemical analyses for a number of electrolytes, metabolites and enzymes. Results from these analyses suggested that in addition to being an hepatotoxicity, lupinosis also resulted in injury to muscle, kidney and adrenal cortex. This was confirmed by microscopic examination of these tissues.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adrenal Cortex; Animals; Bilirubin; Blood Chemical Analysis; Blood Proteins; Creatine Kinase; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electrolytes; Enzymes; Fabaceae; Female; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Injections, Subcutaneous; Kidney; Liver; Male; Mitosporic Fungi; Muscles; Mycotoxins; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Medicinal; Sheep; Sheep Diseases

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Disease Outbreaks; Fabaceae; Female; Mitosporic Fungi; Mycotoxins; Plant Poisoning; Plants, Medicinal

Phomopsin, the mycotoxin produced by Phomopsis leptostromiformis, was found to have a very high toxicity for sheep. When administered as a single, subcutaneous injection over the dose range 1 X 25 to 98 microgram/kg body weight, all sheep given 37 X 5 microgram/kg or more died. Some, though not all, died following lower doses, the minimum lethal dose being 10 microgram/kg. The time course of hepatic response over 21 days after phomopsin administration was followed by plasma biochemical analyses including those for some enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase), total bilirubin and the determination of bromosulphophthalein clearance rates. Hepatobiliary impairment was apparent after all dosages of 2.5 microgram/kg and above while 1.25 microgram/kg approximated the 'no effect' level.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Blood Chemical Analysis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Lethal Dose 50; Liver; Mycotoxins; Plant Poisoning; Sheep; Sheep Diseases