Abstract:
Toxicity in cattle by the shrub Nolletia gariepina was induced experimentally by intraruminal
administration of 3 g/kg dried, milled plant material as a single dose. The animals had to be
starved for 24 hours before dosing, as dosing on a full rumen did not induce any signs of
toxicity during 5 days of observation and clinical pathology monitoring. Clinical signs were
not specific and varied according to the duration (acute versus subacute) of the toxicological
process. Clinical pathological parameters indicated renal and to a lesser extent hepatic
damage, with raised serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase
(AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). Increased urinary sodium and potassium
concentration and GGT activity, as well as proteinuria, were evident. Histological and electron
microscopic examinations revealed acute renal tubular epithelial cell degeneration and
necrosis, especially of the proximal convoluted tubules. Mild hepatocellular degeneration
was also noticeable.
