title: Intoxication of cattle by the fruits of Melia azedarach.
abstract: Melia azedarach fruits were administered at single doses ranging from 5 to 30 g/kg bw to 10 calves. The animals dosed with 25 g/kg bw and 30 g/ kg bw died, as well as 1/2 cattle that received 15 g/kg bw. Clinical signs were depression, ruminal stasis, anorexia, diarrhea, incoordination, muscle tremors, difficulty to stand, sternal recumbence, hypothermia and dyspnea. Serum AST and CPK were increased. Signs appeared 4 to 24 h after dosing and the clinical manifestations continued for 20 to 72 h. Macroscopic findings included congestion of the intestine, focal or diffuseyellow discoloration of the liver, and brain congestion. LiQuid content was in rumen, reticulum and intestines. The liver had swollen and vacuolated hepatocytes, and necrotic hepatocytes were scattered throughout the parenchyma or concentrated in the periacinar zone. Degenerative and necrotic changes were in the epithelium of the forestomachs. There was also necrosis of lymphoid tissue. Skeletal muscles had hyaline degeneration and fiber necrosis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio Regional de Diagnostico, Faculdade de Veterinaria, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: del Mendez
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aragao
authors.forename: Eduardo Juan
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gimeno
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riet-Correa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005638:Fruit / Q000506:poisoning; D031586:Melia azedarach / Q000506:poisoning*; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases