In order to contribute to the characterization of the clinical-pathological picture of poisoning by Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth. (Leg. Mimosoideae), the pods of the tree were given orally to 17 young bovines. Six animals received the pods only once: Those which received doses of 10 and 20 g/kg, did not show any symptoms of poisoning. Those which received 30, 40 and 40 g/kg of pods, showed respectively moderate, severe and slight symptoms of poisoning, but all recovered. The animal that was fed 60 g/kg, died. Eleven bovines received repeated doses of the pods: Two of them, which received 2,5 g/kg during 30 days, showed discrete to slight symptoms. Two animals received 5 g/kg during 13 and 14 days and showed moderate to severe poisoning. Three animals received 10 g/kg during 20, 8 and 6 days; the first of them showed slight symptoms, the second died and the third showed moderate to severe symptoms. Two animals received 20 g/kg during 2 and 3 days; the first showed slight symptoms, the second died. The two bovines which were fed 30 and 40 g/kg during 2 days, died. First symptoms of poisoning were observed from the first day of the experiments on, and the clinical course varied from 3 to 63 days. Digestive disorders predominated in the clinical-pathological picture. Symptoms were mainly loss of appetite up to anorexia, faeces slightly dry to liquid, distention of the abdomen without tympanism, loss of ruminal fluid during rumination, decrease in ruminal activity up to atonia, ruminal acidosis, gastro-intestinal colics, sialorrhoea, apathy, loss of weight, debility, erosions and ulcers of the oral mucosa. There was congestion of the visible mucous membranes (without icterus) and of the interdigital parts of the hoofs, areas of focal alopecia and/or hypotrichia in the axillary regions, the lateral parts of the tighs and members, loss of hair on the tip of the tail, alterations which can be interpreted as slight photosensitization. In two bovines aspiration pneumonia was verified. In three animals intermittent prolapse of the prepuce was seen, as well as polacuria; sometimes these animals sighed during urination. In all experimental animals the urine was generally turbid, acid, dark ambar, with a sweat smell and high density, and there was proteinuria; in a few animals glicosuria was diagnosed. Bilirubine values were normal. Thus, the severe photosensitization reported in the literature could not be reproduced. Loss of weight, slight photosensitization and absence of icterus, observed in our experiments, are in accordance with the symptoms reported by farmers of the Cerrado-regions (Savanna) where S. obovatum occurs.
Poisonous plants; experimental plant poisoning; Stryphnodendron obovatum; cattle
