Nephrotoxicity of Narthecium ossifragum in cattle in Norway

Abstract

During the summer of 1992 renal failure was diagnosed in 232 grazing cattle in 85 herds on the west coast of Norway. The salient clinical signs were depression, anorexia and melaena or fresh blood in the faeces; diarrhoea was also commonly observed. The serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, magnesium and phosphorus, and the activities of glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase were above normal and the serum calcium concentration was below normal. Post mortem examinations consistently revealed renal tubular necrosis. In some cases there was liver necrosis and also erosions at the base of the tongue, in the oesophagus and in the jejunum and colon. The toxicity was probably caused by the plant Narthecium ossifragum (bog asphodel).

Suspected bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) toxicity in cattle in North Wales

“…Bog asphodel toxicity has been described in several countries in numerous ruminant species, including moose, cattle, red deer, sheep, goats and reindeer in Norway (Flåøyen and others 1995a, b, c, 1999, Vikøren and others 1999, Wilsløff and others 2003) and cattle in Ireland (Malone and others 1992). The active toxic component has been identified as 3-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone (Langseth and others 1999).…”

Narthecium ossifragum(L.) Huds. Causes Kidney Damage in Goats: Morphologic and Functional Effects

“…18 Several cases of severe bovine diseases related to ingestion of this plant were reported in Ireland in 1989, 22 and in 1992, similar such cases of disease were reported in cattle on pastures in Norway. 9,10 Clinical signs were depression, anorexia, melaena or fresh blood in the feces, and often diarrhea, leading to death in many cases. Serum urea and creatinine concentrations were elevated.…”

Bog asphodel toxicity

“…However, this is not the only possible consequence of the ingestion of bog asphodel. I previously reported a case where two adult cattle died as a result of grazing pasture containing bog asphodel, 1 with similar reports occurring elsewhere 2,3 …”

“…I previously reported a case where two adult cattle died as a result of grazing pasture containing bog asphodel, 1 with similar reports occurring elsewhere. 2,3 Some farmers are returning drained/improved land to more historic and biodiverse habitats, as is encouraged under some environmental schemes. Bog asphodel is considered a key indicator species for blanket bog and as such can help demonstrate success of such environmental improvement practices.…”