Hepatotoxicity in sheep and goats caused by experimental feeding with foxtail millet (Setaria italica)

BACKGROUND: Some species of grass cause poisoning andhepatogenous photosensitization in animals. OBJECTIVES:Feeding trials were conducted in sheep and goats to evaluatethe hepatotoxic effects of Setaria italica (S. italica).METHODS: Twelve indigenous male sheep and goats were usedin this study. The animals were kept outdoors against prevailingclimatic conditions. They were fed with S. italica freely for 50days. Some biochemical factors associated with liver function,such as total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (BC), aspartateamino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkalinephosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT)activities, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein (TP), andalbumin (ALB), were measured on day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42,and 49 of the experiment. On the 50th day, the animals weresacrificed and necropsied, then the gall bladder and liverswere removed for pathological study. Blood samples on day 0(prior to feeding with S. italica) were set as the control group.RESULTS: Three sheep and 3 goats showed signs of intoxication,including facial edema, mucus hyperemia, runny nose,lacrimation, and icterus. Post-mortem examination revealedvarying degrees of generalized icterus, degeneration, necrosisand cell swelling of hepatocytes, formation of acidophilic bodies,and mild hyperplasia in biliary ducts. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicalsigns, laboratory findings, and necropsy findings, supportthe potential of S. italica in the induction of hepatotoxicity andsecondary photosensitivity in sheep and goats.

Keywords:

goat , liver lesions , Setaria italica (S. italica) , sheep