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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #331487

Title: Induction and transfer of resistance to poisoning by Amorimia (Mascagnia) septentrionalis in goats

Author
item DUARTE, AMELIA
item MEDEIROS, ROSANE
item CARVALHO, FABRICIO
item Lee, Stephen
item Cook, Daniel
item Pfister, James
item COSTA, VALERIA
item RIET-CORREA, FRANKLIN

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Toxicology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/27/2012
Publication Date: 2/1/2014
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62954
Citation: Duarte, A.L., Medeiros, R.M., Carvalho, F.K., Lee, S.T., Cook, D., Pfister, J.A., Costa, V.M., Riet-Correa, F. 2014. Induction and transfer of resistance to poisoning by Amorimia (Mascagnia) septentrionalis in goats. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 34(2):220-223.

Interpretive Summary: Amorimia septentrionalis contains sodium monofluoroactetate (MFA) and can cause acute heart failure in livestock when eaten in sufficient quantities. In this study, we demonstrate that resistance to poisoning by A. septentrionalis can be improved in goats by the repeated administration of non-toxic doses of A. septentrionalis. We also show that increased resistance to poisoning by A. septentrionalis can also be achieved by the transfaunation (manual transfer) of ruminal contents from resistant goats to naïve goats. After ruminal transfer, naïve goats had greatly increased resistance. These methods of improving resistance require further study, but appear to provide potential management solutions to mitigate toxicity problems from A. septentrionalis, and perhaps other plant species containing MFA.

Technical Abstract: Amorimia septentrionalis contains sodium monofluoroactetate (MFA) and can cause acute heart failure in ruminants when ingested in toxic doses. In this study, we demonstrate that resistance to poisoning by A. septentrionalis can be improved in goats by the repeated administration of non-toxic doses of A. septentrionalis. We also show that increased resistance to poisoning by A. septentrionalis can also be achieved by the transfaunation of ruminal contents from goats previously conditioned to be resistant to naïve goats. These methods of improving resistance require further study, but appear to provide potential management solutions to mitigate toxicity problems from A. septentrionalis, and perhaps other plant species containing MFA.