Small random foci of necrosis with few hepatocytes with nuclear pyknosis or karyorrhexis, mild periportal infiltration of mononuclear cells, sinusoidal congestion, and hyperplasia of Kuppfer cells with hemosiderin in the cytoplasm were observed in the liver. For the experimental reproduction of the poisoning, six two-year-old Moxotó goats (N° 1, 2, 4–7) and one crossbreed goat (N° 3) were used. The goats were examined, dewormed see more and adapted to intensive farming systems before
use. The plant was collected from the region where the outbreak occurred and was stored at 3–5 °C for 2–3 weeks. The leaves were administered to the goats orally by placing small amounts into their mouths. The animals received daily doses of 10 g or 20 g of the plant’s leaves per kg body weight (g/kg). The administration of the daily dose of plant leaves took from 40 min to 2 h. Daily, after the plant administration, the animals received a commercial concentrate ration in an amount equivalent to 1% of their live body weight, and Cynodon dactylon hay and water were offered ad libitum. The dose, body weight, and the onset and duration
of clinical signs are shown in Table 1. The two ALK signaling pathway control animals received a commercial ration in an amount equivalent to 1% of their live body weight, and C. dactylon hay and water were offered ad libitum. In goats 3 and 4, blood was collected before the start of the experiment and again 3 and 8 days after the start of plant administration. The samples were used for hemogram and serum biochemistry analyses. The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and the serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, and total protein were determined (Duarte et al., 2009). Goats 6 and 7 were used as controls. The goats that presented clinical signs were observed until they made a full recovery, and one animal was euthanized and necropsied.
Goats 1, 2, and 3, that received 10 and 20 g/kg of the plant in a single dose, exhibited no significant changes in respiratory and cardiac frequency, Myosin body temperature, and ruminal movements (Table 1). Goats 1 and 2 exhibited mild dehydration and had soft feces. No clinical signs were observed in Goat 3. Goats 4 and 5 that ingested 10 and 20 g/kg plant leaves daily for 8 days, respectively, showed clinical signs at 4 and 3 days after the first administration of the leaves, respectively (Table 1). Clinical signs were progressive and were characterized by apathy, anorexia, decreased water consumption and ruminal movements, weakness, regurgitation of food, soft feces, and weight loss. The goats were observed to lie down for long periods with their necks facing the flank, and when standing, their backs were arched, and they exhibited abdominal retraction.