Is polioencephalomalacia associated with high-sulfate diets?
During 1979 and 1980, rations containing high concentrations of gypsum or other sulfate salts were noticed to be a common feature of several episodes of polioencephalomalacia (PEM) diagnosed at the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL). A retrospective study of 72 herds represented by all 6- to 18-month-old cattle necropsied at the VMDL between Sept 1 and Dec 31, 1980, was undertaken. Information about diet and husbandry was collected for each herd by interviews with the owner. Polioencephalomalacia occurred in 18 of 21 herds fed high-sulfate (greater than 2 % sulfate) rations, but in only 1 of 51 herds not fed such rations. The data demonstrated a statistically significant and possible causal relationship between PEM in cattle and high-sulfate rations.
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002133:Calcium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013431:Sulfates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013831:Thiamine / Q000378:metabolism
D013431:Sulfates; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D013831:Thiamine