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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332059
Title: Induction and transfer of resistance to poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora in sheep with non-toxic doses of the plant and ruminal content

Author
item BECKER, MARCIEL - Federal University Of Mato Grosso
item CARNEIRO, FABER - Federal University Of Mato Grosso
item OLIVEIRA, LEONARDO - Federal University Of Mato Grosso
item SILVA, MAYARA - Federal University Of Mato Grosso
item RIET-CORREA, FRANKLIN - Veterinary Hospital, Federal University Of Campina Grande (UFCG)
item Lee, Stephen
item PESCADOR, CAROLINE - Federal University Of Mato Grosso
item NAKAZATO, LUCIANO - Federal University Of Mato Grosso
item COLODEL, EDSON - Federal University Of Mato Grosso

Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/6/2015
Publication Date: 4/1/2016
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5394136
Citation: Becker, M., Carneiro, F.M., Oliveira, L.P., Silva, M.I., Riet-Correa, F., Lee, S.T., Pescador, C.A., Nakazato, L., Colodel, E.M. 2016. Induction and transfer of resistance to poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora in sheep with non-toxic doses of the plant and ruminal content. Ciencia Rural. 46(4):674-680.

Interpretive Summary: Amorimia pubiflora contains monofluoroacetate and is the main cause of “sudden death” in cattle in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. This research investigated the induction of resistance to the poisoning in sheep by the continuous administration of non-toxic doses of the plant and also the possibility to transfer this resistance to other sheep by the transfer of ruminal fluid. For this a group of four sheep (G1) received daily doses of 0.5g/kg for 20 days and after an interval of 15 days were challenged with three daily doses of 1g/kg for 3 days. Also the transfer of resistance to A. pubiflora poisoning was evaluated by transfer of rumen fluid from G1 sheep to five sheep (G2), followed by challenge with the dose of 1g/kg for 3 days (G2D2) and after a three-day interval they received a single dose of 3g/kg (G2D3). The degree of resistance was evaluated by monitoring the onset of clinical signs, heart rate, and outcome of the poisoning compared with the control groups, which were challenged with three daily doses of 1g/kg (G3) and with a single dose of 3g/kg (G4). Clinical parameters evaluated in Groups G1 and G2 were significantly less pronounced than those observed in G3 and G4 (control). Sheep in G4 (control) died after receiving a single dose of 3g/kg, while those in G2 (ruminal fluid transfer recipients) survived. These studies demonstrated that consumption of non-toxic doses of A. pubiflora induced resistance in sheep and that this resistance can be transferred by ruminal fluid transfer.

Technical Abstract: Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae), which contains sodium monofluoroacetate (MFA) is the main cause of “sudden death” in cattle in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. This research investigated the induction of resistance to the poisoning in sheep by the continuous administration of non-toxic doses of the plant and also the possibility to transfer this resistance to other sheep by the transfaunation of ruminal fluid. For this a group of four sheep (G1) received daily doses of 0.5g kg-1 for 20 days and after an interval of 15 days were challenged with three daily doses of 1g kg-1 for 3 days. Also the transfer of resistance to A. pubiflora poisoning was evaluated by transfaunation of rumen fluid (100ml for 10 days) from G1 sheep to five sheep (G2), followed by challenge with the dose of 1g kg-1 for 3 days (G2D2) and after a three-day interval they received a single dose of 3g kg-1 (G2D3). The degree of resistance was evaluated by monitoring the onset of clinical signs, heart rate, and outcome of the poisoning compared with the control groups, which were challenged with three daily doses of 1g kg1 (G3) and with a single dose of 3g kg-1 (G4). Clinical parameters evaluated in Groups G1 and G2 were significantly less pronounced than those observed in G3 and G4 (control) (P<0.05). Sheep in G4 (control) died after receiving a single dose of 3g kg-1, while those in G2 (transfaunated) survived. These findings demonstrated that consumption of non-toxic doses of A. pubiflora induced resistance in sheep and that this resistance can be transferred by transfaunation. New experiments are needed to determine the most efficient ways to induce resistance and to use this technique in the field to prevent the poisoning.