Bath G F, Botha P, Vorster H J, Cross R H
Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.
J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1992 Sep;63(3):103-7.
The diameters of fibres from phytobezoars varied between 2 and 30 microns, with an average 58% measuring less than < 15 microns, 36% between 15 and 23 microns, and 6% greater than 23 microns. These diameters were very similar to those of the pappus hairs surrounding the seeds of the Karoo bushes Chrysocoma ciliata, Eriocephalus ericoides and Gnidia polycephala (means of 6.06 microns, 16.67 microns and 22.73 microns respectively). The microscopic structure and ultrastructure of these pappus hairs moreover closely resembled the fibres of bezoars but were quite distinct from that of hair or wool. Of particular interest was the presence of annular thickenings as well as terminal hooks on both bezoar fibres and pappus hairs, both of which structures are believed to be involved in the formation of bezoars. This close similarity between the fibres in bezoars and those of pappus hairs in the 3 plant species studied, leads to the conclusion that the bezoars consisted largely of pappus hairs of these and possibly other species. The chemical composition of bezoars found in goats and sheep, resembled that of pappus hairs and stems of the Karoo bushes Eriocephalus ericoides and Gnidia polycephala more closely than that of mohair. Ash, nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc concentrations in both bezoars and plant material were similar, but very different to that of mohair; however, the calcium, magnesium, potassium and manganese levels of bezoars were more similar to mohair than plant matter. This may have been due to a leaching effect.
植物性胃石中的纤维直径在2至30微米之间，平均有58%的纤维直径小于15微米，36%在15至23微米之间，6%大于23微米。这些直径与卡鲁灌木丛（Chrysocoma ciliata、Eriocephalus ericoides和Gnidia polycephala）种子周围的冠毛的直径非常相似（分别为6.06微米、16.67微米和22.73微米）。此外，这些冠毛的微观结构和超微结构与胃石纤维非常相似，但与毛发或羊毛的结构截然不同。特别值得关注的是，胃石纤维和冠毛上都存在环形增厚以及末端钩，这两种结构都被认为与胃石的形成有关。所研究的3种植物物种的胃石纤维与冠毛纤维之间的这种密切相似性，得出的结论是，胃石在很大程度上由这些物种以及可能其他物种的冠毛组成。在山羊和绵羊体内发现的胃石的化学成分，与Eriocephalus ericoides和Gnidia polycephala这两种卡鲁灌木丛的冠毛和茎的化学成分比马海毛更为相似。胃石和植物材料中的灰分、氮、磷和锌浓度相似，但与马海毛的浓度差异很大；然而，胃石中的钙、镁、钾和锰含量与马海毛比与植物物质更为相似。这可能是由于浸出效应。
