Jimson weed seed toxicity in cattle.
A subacute experiment was undertaken for 14 days. The results obtained from these studies suggest that: 1) unless a highly Jimson weed seed contaminated feed is ingested (greater than 0.09% of body weight) or force fed, death should be a rare consequence of Jimson weed seed contamination; 2) Jimson weed seed toxicity in cattle as a result of feed contamination appears a self-limiting problem (rumen atony and anorexia prevent further intoxication until the blood levels of alkaloids are reduced to allow normal ruminant intestinal function); 3) cattle may exhibit signs of atropine toxicity at contamination levels of 881 seed/kg of feed or higher; 4) rumen fluid from heifers fed diet containing 4,408 Jimson weed seed had the greatest VFA concentration change from day 0 to 7; 5) in vitro fermentation of diets resulted in no difference in IVDMD values, but VFA concentration values tended to increase with increased concentrations of Jimson weed seed in the diet.
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013286:Datura stramonium; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D010947:Plants, Toxic
D000470:Alkaloids; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile