Pulmonary function changes in goats given 3-methylindole orally.

Six adult goats were given 0.2 g of 3-methylindole (3MI)/kg of body weight orally. Lung mechanics and ventilatory function were obtained before 3MI and 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after 3MI administration. Clinical signs were also monitored. Lungs were removed for gross and microscopic examination and for morphometric analysis from goats that died spontaneously or were killed with an overdose of pentobarbital after 72 hours. The major pulmonary function changes observed included a marked decrease in dynamic lung compliance with a moderate increase in airway resistance, a concomitant hypoxemia, sustained increase in respiratory frequency, a progressive decrease in tidal volume and alveolar ventilation, and increased dead space to tidal volume ratio. A mild metabolic acidosis was also noticed.