Toxicity of Abrus precatorius in Nubian goats.

Eight Nubian goats were given Abrus precatorius seed at 2, 1 and 0.5 g/kg/day by stomach tube. Six goats receiving the plant seed at 2 and 1 g/kg died between days 2 and 5. One goat receiving Abrus seed at 0.5 g/kg/day died on day 32 and the other animal in the group was killed on day 33. The main signs of Abrus poisoning were inappetence, bloody diarrhea, dyspnea, dehydration, loss of condition and recumbency. The lesions were fatty change and necrosis of hepatocytes and renal convoluted tubules, pulmonary hemorrhage, edema and emphysema, and erosions of the abomasal and intestinal epithelium. These changes were accompanied by increases in GOT and gamma GT activities and urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium and by decreases in total protein and albumin in the serum of Abrus-poisoned goats. The blood cell changes indicated hemoconcentration.