Hepatotoxic plants that poison livestock

Authors: CLAYTON, MICHAEL - Utah State University; Davis, Thomas - Zane; Knoppel, Edward; Stegelmeier, Bryan

Submitted to: Veterinary Clinics of North America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/31/2020
Publication Date: 10/5/2020
Citation: Clayton, M.J., Davis, T.Z., Knoppel, E.L., Stegelmeier, B.L. 2020. Hepatotoxic plants that poison livestock. Veterinary Clinics of North America. 36:715-723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2020.08.003.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2020.08.003

Interpretive Summary: The liver is one of the most commonly affected organs by ingested toxicants as it is the first recipient of portal blood draining from the gastrointestinal tract, and hepatocytes enzymatically metabolize and often activate many xenobiotics including plant toxins. The objective of this review is to familiarize veterinarians with clinical signs, serum biochemistry changes, necropsy findings and field information found in livestock poisonings with hepatotoxic plants. This in not all inclusive as it focuses on the most common plant-derived hepatotoxins important to livestock in North America. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are covered in greater detail than the other toxins, because they are likely the most important plant derived toxins worldwide in livestock, wildlife and even human exposure. Additionally, many of the principles discussed regarding clinical diagnosis of pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication can be applied to the other poisonous plants listed.

Technical Abstract: The liver is one of the most commonly affected organs by ingested toxicants as it is the first recipient of portal blood draining from the gastrointestinal tract, and hepatocytes enzymatically metabolize and often activate many xenobiotics including plant toxins. The objective of this review is to familiarize veterinarians with clinical signs, serum biochemistry changes, necropsy findings and field information found in livestock poisonings with hepatotoxic plants. This in not all inclusive as it focuses on the most common plant-derived hepatotoxins important to livestock in North America. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are covered in greater detail than the other toxins, because they are likely the most important plant derived toxins worldwide in livestock, wildlife and even human exposure. Additionally, many of the principles discussed regarding clinical diagnosis of pyrrolizidine alkaloid intoxication can be applied to the other poisonous plants listed.