Gossypium herbaceum

Abstract

DISTRIBUTION: • Agriculturally cultivated in five areas, namely Mpumalanga, Northern Province, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northwest. • It is grown under irrigation as well as dry land conditions.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: General: Cotton is a perennial, herbaceous shrub, 0,5 - 1 m tall, Flowers: It has white to yellow flowers, which develop into smooth fruits that split open if mature. Seeds: The fibrous hairs on the seeds, 1-6 cm long, consist mainly of cellulose.

TOXIC PRINCIPLE: Seeds have hard lignin-like cortex and white kernel with small spherical or ovoid pigment glands (yellow to purple), which contain 15 or more pigments of which the predominant one is gossypol. Endotheliotoxic:• Uncouples oxidative phosphorylation.• Causes loss of appetite and loss of weight. Most common effect cardiac irregularity - death due to circulatory failure.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Cardiovascular system. • Weakness, dyspnoea. • Emaciated, stunted, pot-bellied animals. Poultry - results in green discolouration of outer layer of yolk and pink whites. Men - decreased spermatogenesis and decreased sperm motility.

SUSCEPTIBILITY: • Pigs and pre-ruminants are affected • Monogastric animals are most susceptible and adult ruminants are least susceptible. • Ruminats are least susceptible as gossypol forms complexes with protein in the rumen, rendering gossypol non-toxic.

NECROPSY: • Heart affected - degeneration of myocardium, thus dilatation and enlargement of heart may be seen. • Generalised oedema: pulmonary oedema and foam in trachea, hydropericardium, ascites,subcutaneous oedema. • Cyanotic induration of liver.

TREATMENT: • Vit A (anti-Vit A effect seen in cattle). • Vit B Co injection, non-ruminants especially. • High protein diet to bind gossypol in rumen.