Pathological and Toxicological Studies of Calves Fed a High Concentration Cotton Seed Meal Diet

Abstract

Feeding a high concentration of cotton seed meal to young calves resulted in death with lesions compatible with gossypol toxicity. Calves were fed two different commercially prepared rations. Free gossypol concentrations in different lots of the 17% protein ration varied from 250 to 380 ppm, and the 13% protein ration varied from 40 to 240 ppm. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase elevation was the most consistent clinical pathological finding. The mean serum sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations for moribund, hospitalized, and clinically healthy calves were 277, 34, and 45 units/liter. The mean for sorbitol dehydrogenase concentration for healthy calves not fed cotton seed meal was 18 units/liter. Gross lesions included severe effusion of a high protein content fluid into the body cavities of most calves, edema of the mesentery, and hepatomegaly. The most consistent histological lesion was severe centrilobular hepatic necrosis. Elevated levels of liver gossypol were demonstrated. The mean liver gossypol concentration for three calves was 41.7 micrograms/g on a wet weight basis.

Gossypol Toxicity from Cottonseed Products

“…In calves, the major pathologic findings are ascites, visceral edema, acute centrilobular hepatocyte necrosis, kidney damage, and cardiovascular lesions. Increased pneumonia has also been observed, likely due to an increased sensitivity to secondary infections [85, 90–92]. …”

Screening of Upland Cotton Seed as a Nutrient Sources for Ruminants

“…(Grey et al, 1990) fed moderate amounts of cottonseed products containing free gossypol. Gossypol toxicity is also a potential problem when cotton products are fed to young calves with functionally undeveloped rumens (Leighton et al, 1953;Holmberg et al, 1988;Hudson et al, 1988;Kerr, 1989). The possible reduction of gossypol toxicity can be achieved by using iron salts.…”

Effects of varying levels of dietary free gossypol in whole cotton seed on physiological responses of growing-fattening lambs

“…According to Hawkins et al, 18 long-term effects of dietary gossypol on liver function have yet to be determined. In several clinical investigations, calves 2,5,50,51 and lambs 30,49,52 with immature rumens that were fed diets containing gossypol displayed the same toxicological signs as nonruminants ingesting gossypol-containing diets. Thus, pre-ruminants (with undeveloped rumens) function essentially as monogastrics, and gossypol cannot be ef®ciently detoxi®ed.…”