title: High sulfide concentrations in rumen fluid associated with nutritionally induced polioencephalomalacia in calves.
abstract: Nine 115- to 180-kg, hay-adapted, Holstein steers were fed an experimental diet with added sodium sulfate that induces polioencephalomalacia (PEM). Five calves developed the disease. Thiamine concentrations in blood, CSF, brain, and liver were not indicative of thiamine deficiency. The odor of hydrogen sulfide in eructated rumen gas was associated with the onset of PEM. Sulfide concentrations in rumen fluid were measured 1 or 2 times a week by 2 techniques. Sulfide concentrations progressively increased in all 9 calves after the feeding of the PEM-inducing diet commenced. The highest concentrations coincided with the onset of clinical signs of PEM and were significantly higher in the calves that developed PEM than in those that did not. This suggests that PEM can result from sulfide toxicosis following excess production of sulfide in the rumen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University 80523.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hamar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D012417:Rumen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis*; D013831:Thiamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D013440:Sulfides; D013831:Thiamine