Prickly paddy melon (Cucumis myriocarpus) poisoning of cattle

Abstract

Twenty-six Hereford heifers died after eating mostly ripe fruit of Cucumis myriocarpus growing in a fallowed cultivation paddock. Four affected cattle were dehydrated and apparently had abdominal pain. Necropsy of three revealed intense congestion with haemorrhage of the alimentary tract, numerous C. myriocarpus seeds in ruminal contents, pulmonary congestion and oedema and, in two, swollen livers. Midzonal swelling and vacuolation of hepatocytes occurred in these two. C. myriocarpus fruit (83% by weight ripe) were dosed to two calves at 60 g wet weight/kg live weight. Both collapsed with tachycardia and dyspnoea and died within 6 h. Their packed cell volumes just before death had increased to 0.7. They had hydropic degeneration and necrosis of the ruminal mucosa, intense congestion and oedema of the rumen, abomasum and intestines, swollen and vacuolated hepatocytes and foci of myocardial degeneration and necrosis. Two other calves were dosed daily with 20 g fruit/kg for three days, then 40 g/kg for three days. One calf received a further 40 g/kg next day. Both calves developed persistent diarrhoea and neutrophilia, and their plasma gamma glutamyltransferase and bilirubin concentrations increased. Necropsy revealed necrosis and oedema of the rumen and swollen degenerate hepatocytes.

The Effect of Microwave Radiation on Prickly Paddy Melon (Cucumis myriocarpus)

“…Cucumis myriocarpus is a weed in Australia and in California, where it may also be known as prickly paddy melon, bitter apple, and gooseberry gourd [32]. The plant also occurs in Spain, where it is known by the common names of "habanera" or "sandía habanera" [32].…”

“…The fruit and foliage are toxic due to the presence of cucurbitacin, which is a cytotoxic steroid produced by the plant as a defence against herbivores [32]. The plant has been known to kill livestock [32]. Cucumis myriocarpus is a weed in Australia and in California, where it may also be known as prickly paddy melon, bitter apple, and gooseberry gourd [32].…”

“…Cucumis myriocarpus is an annual prostrate vine belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae that is native to southern Africa [32]. Cucumis myriocarpus has multiple stems that can grow up to 1.6 m long and produces fruit in the form of small spiky yellow-green or green-striped melons that are approximately 20-25 mm in diameter.…”

“…These melons contain many seeds that are 3.5-4 mm long [33]. The fruit and foliage are toxic due to the presence of cucurbitacin, which is a cytotoxic steroid produced by the plant as a defence against herbivores [32]. The plant has been known to kill livestock [32].…”

Acute renal failure associated withAmaranthusspecies ingestion by lambs

“…oleracea , have been associated with oxalate and nitrate toxicity in ruminants. Paddy melon has been associated with acute deaths in ruminants after consumption of the fruit . Lesions consist of hydropic degeneration and necrosis of the ruminal mucosa, intense congestion and oedema of the rumen, abomasum and intestines, swollen and vacuolated hepatocytes and foci of myocardial degeneration and necrosis.…”