Comparative effects of prolonged administration of cyanide, thiocyanate and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) to goats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the clinical, hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes induced by cyanide, thiocyanate and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) in goats. Sixteen Boer-Spanish cross-bred female goats were divided into four treatment groups: (1) control, (2) potassium cyanide (KCN) at 3.8 mg kg(-1) day(-1), (3) potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) at 4.5 mg kg(-1) day(-1) and (4) ground frozen chokecherry leaves and flowers at a target dose of 2.5 mg HCN kg(-1) day(-1), all for 4 weeks. Clinical signs were observed in two goats treated with chokecherry. Only sporadic changes were found in the hematological and blood chemical panel. Goats treated with chokecherry and thiocyanate had an increased number of vacuoles in the colloid of thyroid glands. Spongiosis and spheroids were found in the mesencephalon from goats treated with KCN and chokecherry. These findings suggest the thyroid lesions can be attributed to thiocyanate, whereas the effects on the nervous system were most likely caused by cyanide.

Rosaceae Juss.

“…wild ruminants such as deer are susceptible; birds also at risk, especially from preformed sources of cyanide effect mainly due to inhibition of cytochrome oxidase pathway, especially in brain; action is quick and rapidly lethal; rarely delayed rapid glycoside hydrolysis may occur in rumen because of moderate pH and hydrolytic glycosidases from bacteria; hydrolysis slower in gut of monogastric animals leaves and fl owers was well tolerated except for signs at 4-6 days in one animal and at 6 -9 days in another, with no further signs thereafter, for a total of 4 weeks (Soto -Blanco et al 2008). Because of the rapid disposition of cyanide, the minimum lethal dose is variable, depending on rate of intake.…”

“…In the case of wild or bitter almonds, that is, P. fasciculata, leaves as well as seeds may have high cyanogenic potential, up to 1700 ppm (Moran 1940). Both black cherry and chokecherry are signifi cant risks for intoxication of livestock, especially browsers like goats (Radi et al 2004;Soto -Blanco et al 2008). In one report, the distinctive appearance of the leaves in the rumen were noted and described in comparison with those of other cherry species (Radi et al 2004).…”

Patogênese, sinais clínicos e epidemiologia das intoxicações por plantas cianogênicas no nordeste brasileiro

“…Portanto, as condições que resultam em danos nas plantas, tais como a secagem, a congelação ou a murchidão, aumentam a toxicidade da planta no momento da ingestão (OSWEILER et al, 1985). Além disso, as enzimas que hidrolisam os glicosídeos cianogênicos são também produzidas por bactérias ruminais (MAJAK et al, 1990), sendo encontrada grande variação nas atividades das enzimas hidrolíticas ruminais, com alguns animais que possuem mecanismos mais eficientes para a liberação de cianeto de plantas do que outros (MAJAK et al, 1990;SOTO-BLANCO et al, 2008;GÓRNIAK, 2010).…”

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“…Inicialmente, a frequência respiratória é aumentada, seguida por dispneia com abdução dos membros e pescoço estendido, que progride a parada respiratória (SOTO-BLANCO & GÓRNIAK, 2010;NICHOLSON, 2012;TOKARNIA et al, 2012;CÂMARA et al, 2014). Mucosas cianóticas, nistagmo, tremor de cabeça e pálpebras, seguido de queda, permanência em decúbito lateral com movimentos de pedalagem e opistótono são sinais também relatados (AMORIM et al, 2005;SOTO-BLANCO & GÓRNIAK, 2010;TOKARNIA et al, 2012;CÂMARA et al, 2014). Ainda são observadas, na maioria dos casos, convulsões seguida de morte (SOTO-BLANCO & GÓRNIAK, 2010;NICHOLSON, 2012;TOKARNIA et al, 2012).…”

“…Mucosas cianóticas, nistagmo, tremor de cabeça e pálpebras, seguido de queda, permanência em decúbito lateral com movimentos de pedalagem e opistótono são sinais também relatados (AMORIM et al, 2005;SOTO-BLANCO & GÓRNIAK, 2010;TOKARNIA et al, 2012;CÂMARA et al, 2014). Ainda são observadas, na maioria dos casos, convulsões seguida de morte (SOTO-BLANCO & GÓRNIAK, 2010;NICHOLSON, 2012;TOKARNIA et al, 2012).…”