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Induction and transfer of resistance to poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora in sheep whith non-toxic dosis of the plant and ruminal content

Indução e transferência de resistência à intoxicação por Amorimia pubiflora em ovinos com doses não tóxicas de planta e conteúdo ruminal

ABSTRACT:

Amorimiapubiflora (Malpighiaceae), which contains sodium monofluoroacetate (MFA) is the main cause of "sudden death" in cattle in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. This research investigated the induction of resistance to the poisoning in sheep by the continuous administration of non-toxic doses of the plant and also the possibility to transfer this resistance to other sheep by the transfaunation of ruminal fluid. For this a group of four sheep (G1) received daily doses of 0.5g kg-1 for 20 days and after an interval of 15 days were challenged with three daily doses of 1g kg-1 for 3 days. Also the transfer of resistance to A. pubiflora poisoning was evaluated by transfaunation of rumen fluid (100ml for 10 days) from G1 sheep to five sheep (G2), followed by challenge with the dose of 1g kg-1 for 3 days (G2D2) and after a three-day interval they received a single dose of 3g kg-1 (G2D3). The degree of resistance was evaluated by monitoring the onset of clinical signs, heart rate, and outcome of the poisoning compared with the control groups, which were challenged with three daily doses of 1g kg1 (G3) and with a single dose of 3g kg-1 (G4). Clinical parameters evaluated in Groups G1 and G2 were significantly less pronounced than those observed in G3 and G4 (control) (P<0.05). Sheep in G4 (control) died after receiving a single dose of 3g kg-1, while those in G2 (transfaunated) survived. These findings demonstrated that consumption of non-toxic doses of A. pubiflora induced resistance in sheep and that this resistance can be transferred by transfaunation. New experiments are needed to determine the most efficient ways to induce resistance and to use this technique in the field to prevent the poisoning.

Key words:
Mascagniapubiflora; monofluoroacetate; ruminal detoxification; sheep; sudden death; toxic plants.

RESUMO:

Amorimiapubiflora(Malpighiaceae) contém monofluoroacetato de sódio (MFA) e é uma das principais causas de "morte-súbita" em bovinos no estado de Mato Grosso, no Brasil. Este trabalho investiga a indução de resistência à intoxicação por A. pubiflora em ovinos, através da administração repetida de doses não tóxicas, e também se é possível transferir essa resistência para outros ovinos por transfaunação do fluido ruminal. Para a indução à resistência, um grupo com quatro ovinos (G1) recebeu doses diárias individuais de 0,5g kg-1 de folhas de A. pubiflora durante 20 dias. Após um intervalo de 15 dias, os ovinos desse grupo foram desafiados diariamente, durante 3 dias consecutivos, com a dose de 1g kg-1. A transferência de resistência à intoxicação por A. Pubiflora foi avaliada por transfaunação de conteúdo ruminal (100ml diariamente durante 10 dias) do G1, para cinco ovinos (G2). Após essa etapa, os cinco ovinos do Grupo G2 receberam a dose de 1g kg-1 por três dias (G2D2) e, após um intervalo de 3 dias, quatro ovinos do G2 receberam uma única dose de 3g kg-1 (G2D3). O grau de resistência foi conferido mediante o monitoramento do início dos sinais clínicos, frequência cardíaca, desfecho da intoxicação e comparação com grupos controle, os quais foram desafiados com três doses repetidas de 1g kg-1 (G3) e uma dose única de 3g kg-1 (G4). Os parâmetros clínicos avaliados nos Grupos G1 e G2 foram significativamente menos evidentes do que os observados nos G3 e G4 (controles) (P<0,05). Os ovinos do G4 (controle) morreram após receber a dose única de 3g kg-1, enquanto os do G2 (transfaunados) sobreviveram. Esses achados indicam que o consumo de doses não tóxicas de A. pubiflora induz resistência em ovinos e que a resistência pode ser transferida por transfaunação. Novos experimentos são necessários para determinar as formas mais práticas para induzir resistência e a forma de usar essa técnica no campo para controlar a intoxicação por essa planta.

Palavras-chave:
Mascagniapubiflora; morte súbita; microbiota ruminal; monofluoracetato; plantas tóxicas.

INTRODUCTION:

In Brazil the group of toxic plants of greatest importance to livestock is that causing "sudden death", including Palicourea spp., Amorimia spp., Tanaecium (Arrabidaea) bilabiatum, Fridericia (Arrabidaea) japurensis, and Pseudocalymmaelegans (LEE et al., 2012LEE, S.T. et al. Detection of monofluoroacetato in Palicourea and Amorimia species. Toxicon, v.60, p.791-796, 2012. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699106 >. Accessed: Mar. 01, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.05.029.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699...
; TOKARNIA et al., 2012TOKARNIA, C.H. et al. Plantas tóxicas do Brasil. 2.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Helianthus, 2012. 566p.). Sodium monofluoracetate (MFA) has been identified in most of these species (LEE et al., 2012LEE, S.T. et al. Detection of monofluoroacetato in Palicourea and Amorimia species. Toxicon, v.60, p.791-796, 2012. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699106 >. Accessed: Mar. 01, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.05.029.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699...
).

Amorimiapubiflora (A. Juss.) W.R. Anderson (ANDERSON, 2006ANDERSON, W.R. Eight segregates from the neotropical genus Mascagnia (Malpighiaceae). Novon, v.16, n.2, p.168-204, 2006. Available from: <Available from: http://herbarium.lsa.umich.edu/malpigh/MALPpdf/N16-8newgen.pdf >. Accessed: Sept. 13, 2013.
http://herbarium.lsa.umich.edu/malpigh/M...
) popularly known as "corona", "suma" or "cipó-prata" is one of the most important toxic plants in the Midwest region of Brazil (FERNANDES & MACRUZ, 1964FERNANDES, N.S.; MACRUZ, R. Toxicidade da "corona" - Mascagnia pubiflora (Juss.) Griseb. (Malpighiaceae). Arquivos do Instituto Biológico Animal, v.31, p.1-4, 1964.; TOKARNIA & DOBEREINER, 1973TOKARNIA, C.H.; DÖBEREINER, J. Intoxicação por Mascagnia pubiflora em bovinos no Estado de Mato Grosso. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.8, p.61-68, 1973 Available from: <Available from: file:///C:/Users/marciel/Downloads/17373-75069-1-SM.pdf >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013 .
file:///C:/Users/marciel/Downloads/17373...
; SANTOS, 1975SANTOS, H.L. Aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e anatomohistopatológicos na intoxicação experimental de bovinos pela Mascagnia rigida. 1975. 36f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Medicina Veterinária) - Curso de Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, MG.; BECKER et al., 2013BECKER, M. et al. The importance of poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae) in cattle in Mato Grosso: experimental reproduction of the poisoning in sheep and cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 33, n.9, p.1049-1056, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-2013_11-40Vet%201459_3207%20LD.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 13, 2013.
http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-...
). The plant also occurs in the Northeastern region (state of Bahia) and Southeastern region (states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Goiás, and Rio de Janeiro) (MAMEDE, 2010MAMEDE, M.C.H. Amorimia in lista de espécies da flora do Brasil. Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. Available from: <http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/jabot/floradobrasil/FB101438>. Accessed: Jan. 07, 2015.
http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/jabot/f...
). Leaves of A. pubiflora deposited in the University of Michigan Herbarium contained 0.006% of MFA (LEE et al., 2012LEE, S.T. et al. Detection of monofluoroacetato in Palicourea and Amorimia species. Toxicon, v.60, p.791-796, 2012. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699106 >. Accessed: Mar. 01, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.05.029.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699...
), and leaves from sprouting plants collected in the municipality Colniza, state of Mato Grosso, contained 0.015% MFA (BECKER et al., 2013BECKER, M. et al. The importance of poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae) in cattle in Mato Grosso: experimental reproduction of the poisoning in sheep and cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 33, n.9, p.1049-1056, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-2013_11-40Vet%201459_3207%20LD.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 13, 2013.
http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-...
).

Several outbreaks of A. pubiflora poisoning have been reported in cattle in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso. Rates of morbidity and mortality were up to 3.5% and 54.5%, respectively. The disease is characterized by "sudden-death" associated with exercise. The main clinical signs are weakness, engorged jugular vein, slight muscle tremors, and muscle contractions, followed by death in a 5-15 minutes period (TOKARNIA & DOBEREINER, 1973TOKARNIA, C.H.; DÖBEREINER, J. Intoxicação por Mascagnia pubiflora em bovinos no Estado de Mato Grosso. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v.8, p.61-68, 1973 Available from: <Available from: file:///C:/Users/marciel/Downloads/17373-75069-1-SM.pdf >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013 .
file:///C:/Users/marciel/Downloads/17373...
; LEMOS et al., 2011LEMOS, R.A.A. et al. Plant poisonings in Mato Grosso do Sul. In: RIET-CORREA, F. et al. Poisoning by plants, mycotoxins, and related toxins. Cambridge, MA: CAB International, 2011. Cap.11, p.68-72.; BECKER et al., 2013BECKER, M. et al. The importance of poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae) in cattle in Mato Grosso: experimental reproduction of the poisoning in sheep and cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 33, n.9, p.1049-1056, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-2013_11-40Vet%201459_3207%20LD.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 13, 2013.
http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-...
). In the state of Mato Grosso, in some municipalities of the Amazon region A. pubiflora is the main cause of cattle losses (TOKARNIA et al., 2012TOKARNIA, C.H. et al. Plantas tóxicas do Brasil. 2.ed. Rio de Janeiro: Helianthus, 2012. 566p.; BECKER et al., 2013BECKER, M. et al. The importance of poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae) in cattle in Mato Grosso: experimental reproduction of the poisoning in sheep and cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 33, n.9, p.1049-1056, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-2013_11-40Vet%201459_3207%20LD.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 13, 2013.
http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-...
).

Reports that cattle coming from regions where are no MFA-containing plants are more susceptible to poisoning suggest that the animals become resistant to the consumption of MFA-containing plants (SILVA et al., 2008SILVA, P. et al. Poisoning by Mascagnia rigida (Malpighiaceae) leaves in sheep Comunicação científica. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico Animal, v.75, n.2, p.229-233, 2008. Available from: <Available from: http://www.biologico.sp.gov.br/docs/arq/v75_2/silva.pdf >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013.
http://www.biologico.sp.gov.br/docs/arq/...
; BECKER et al., 2013BECKER, M. et al. The importance of poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae) in cattle in Mato Grosso: experimental reproduction of the poisoning in sheep and cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 33, n.9, p.1049-1056, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-2013_11-40Vet%201459_3207%20LD.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 13, 2013.
http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-...
). This could be related to fluoroacetate dehydrogenase activity of ruminal micro-organisms which break the carbon-fluorine bond degrading the MFA (FETZNER & LINGENS, 1994FETZNER, S.; LINGENS, F. Bacterial dehalogenases: biochemistry, genetics, and biotechnological applications. Microbiological Reviews, v.58, n.4, p.641-685, 1994. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7854251 >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/78542...
). Several MFA-degrading microorganisms have been isolated from soil in Australia (TWIGG & SOCHA, 2001TWIGG, L.E.; SOCHA, L.V. Defluorination of sodium monofluoroacetate by soil microorganisms from central Australia. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, v.33, p.227-234, 2001. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038071700001346 >. Accessed: Feb. 06, 2013. doi: 10.1016/S0038-0717(00)00134-6.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
) and Brazil (CAMBOIM et al., 2012aCAMBOIM, K.A. et al. Defluorination of sodium fluoroacetate by bacteria from soil and plants in Brazil. Scientific World Journal, v.2012, p.1-5, 2012a. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3349100/ >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013. doi: 10.1100/2012/149893.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
) and from ruminal content of goats (CAMBOIM et al., 2012bCAMBOIM, K.A. et al. Isolation and identification of sodium fluoroacetate degrading bactéria from caprine rumen in Brazil., Scientific World Journal v.2012, p. 1-6, 2012b. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3417187/ >. Accessed: Feb. 09, 2013. doi: 10.1100/2012/178254.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
) and cattle (PIMENTEL, 2011PIMENTEL, M.F.A. Isolamento e identificação de microrganismo resistente ao fluoroacetato de sódio. 2011. 42f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Medicina Veterinária) - Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, MT.) in Brazil. Goats ingesting daily non-toxic doses of A. septentrionalis increased significantly their resistance to the poisoning by this MFA-containing plant (DUARTE et al., 2013DUARTE, A.L.L. et al. Induction and transfer of resistance to poisoning by Amorimia (Mascagnia) septentrionalis in goats. Journal of Applied Toxicology, v.34, p.220-223, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23400835 >. Accessed: Nov. 10, 2013. doi: 10.1002/jat.2860.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23400...
).

The objectives of these experiments were to investigate if the daily administration of non-toxic doses of A. pubiflora in sheep induces resistance to the poisoning by this plant, and to determine if this resistance can be transferred by transfaunation of rumen fluid to susceptible sheep.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Amorimia pubiflora leaves used in this study were collected in the city of Colniza, MT (09º25'76"S-59º03'55"W) on days 14/11/2011, 19/12/2011 and 08/06/2012. Botanical identification was performed by Dr. William R. Anderson (University of Michigan Herbarium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) and a voucher specimen of the plant was authenticated and deposited in the Herbarium of Michigan University, Michigan, USA (LEE et al., 2012LEE, S.T. et al. Detection of monofluoroacetato in Palicourea and Amorimia species. Toxicon, v.60, p.791-796, 2012. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699106 >. Accessed: Mar. 01, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.05.029.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22699...
). The MFA content of the A. pubiflora leaves was 0.015% (BECKER et al., 2013BECKER, M. et al. The importance of poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae) in cattle in Mato Grosso: experimental reproduction of the poisoning in sheep and cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 33, n.9, p.1049-1056, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-2013_11-40Vet%201459_3207%20LD.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 13, 2013.
http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-...
).

Experimental animals

The experiment was performed with 16 Santa Inês, 1-2 years-old, clinically healthy female sheep raised under confinement in the Experimental Sheep Farm of the UFMT in the municipality of Santo Antônio de Leverger, state of Mato Grosso (MT). All sheep have been dewormed 7-10 days before the start of the experiment and divided at random into four groups (two treated and two controls). Each group was kept in 9m2 bays at the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, MT. All animals were weighed prior to the supply of A. pubiflora to calculate the dose of the plant to be administered. Most sheep consumed leaves of A. pubiflora voluntarily and when this did not happen, the leaves were orally administered by repeatedly inserting small amounts into the mouths of the animals. The experiment with the number of animals, doses and A. pubiflora administration period in each group are shown in table 1.

Table 1
Onset and intensity of clinical signs and outcome of the poisoning byAmorimia pubiflora in sheep with resistance induced by the daily administration of A. pubiflora (G1) or by transfaunation (G2) and in control sheep (G2 and G4). Data from G1 correspond to the induction phase and to challenge. Data from G2, G3, and G4 correspond to the induction phase and to challenge. Data from G2, G3, and G4 correspond to challenge.

Group 1 (induction of resistance by A. pubiflora administration)

To induce resistance to A. pubiflora poisoning the four sheep (#1, 2, 3 and 4) received daily 0.5g kg-1 of A. pubiflora leaves during 20 consecutive days. Amorimia pubiflora administration was interrupted when clinical signs of moderate intensity were observed, especially when the heart rate (HR) was above 130bpm when the sheep was resting, or above 200bpm after the movement, or when the animal remained lying for a prolonged time after plant administration. The administration was restarted when the HR was less than 80bpm with sheep at rest.

Following the induction phase, the sheep from this group spent 15 days without ingesting A. pubiflora. Then, they were challenged by the ingestion of 1g kg-1 daily for three days. Subsequently, to verify the duration of resistance to the consumption of A. pubiflora, sheep #3 was challenged with a single dose of 3g kg-1 on day 166, and again with the dose of 5g kg-1 on day 180.

Group 2 (transfaunated)

One day after the end of the challenge 100mL of rumen content was collected daily, with a ruminal tube, during 10 days, from each sheep of Group 1 and transferred by gavage to five sheep (#5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) from Group 2 at the dose of 100ml daily for each sheep. One day after the end of the transfaunation period the sheep from Group 2 were challenged with a dose of 1g kg-1 daily during three consecutive days (D2) and after a three-day interval four sheep (#5, 7, 8 and 9) they received a single dose of 3g kg-1 (D3).

Control groups

Two control groups were used: G3 (Sheep #10, 11 and 12), which received A. pubiflora at the dose of 1g kg-1 daily for three consecutive days; and G4 (sheep #13, 14, 15 and 16), which received 3g kg-1 of A. pubiflora in a single dose.

Statistical analysis

Data analyzes were performed using the software R Development Core Team (2012) (PAULA, 2004PAULA, G.A. Modelos de regressão com apoio computacional, 2004. IME/USP R Development Core Team (2012). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Vienna, Austria, 2012. ISBN 3-900051-07-0. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ime.usp.br/~giapaula/texto_2013.pdf >. Accessed: Mar. 01, 2013.
http://www.ime.usp.br/~giapaula/texto_20...
). To find the difference between groups used the regression range (PAULA, 2004PAULA, G.A. Modelos de regressão com apoio computacional, 2004. IME/USP R Development Core Team (2012). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Vienna, Austria, 2012. ISBN 3-900051-07-0. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ime.usp.br/~giapaula/texto_2013.pdf >. Accessed: Mar. 01, 2013.
http://www.ime.usp.br/~giapaula/texto_20...
) with the linear predictor (h) and the logarithmic function h = ln (m i ).

Clinical follow-up

During the phases of resistance induction and challenge, clinical observations were performed three to four times a day in all sheep prior to and after the plant administration. Examination consisted on the observation of pulsations, respiratory and ruminal movements, behavior, posture and water and food intake. Six to eight hours after the plant administration the animals were forced to run for 10 minutes and pulsation and respiratory movements were determined before and after exercise.

Resistance of G1 and G2 sheep to the consumption of A. pubiflora was compared with the resistance of control groups by evaluating the variation of heart rate, outcome of the clinical picture and the start and intensity of clinical signs, which were classified as: severe (marked tachycardia, above 180bpm, engorged jugular, venous pulse, cardiac arrhythmia, muscle tremors, kyphosis, stiff gait, apathy, head tremor, mandibular trismus, reluctance to move, circling, cyanosis, sudden falls and convulsions, followed by death); moderate (moderate tachycardia, 130-180bpm, jugular engorgement, venous pulse, cardiac arrhythmia, apathy, reluctance to move, sudden falls, with clinical recovery); mild (mild tachycardia, 100-130bpm, kyphosis, stiff gait and apathy); and discrete (only tachycardia, below 80bpm).

Pathology

Sheep that died were necropsied. Fragments of lymph nodes, intestines, rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, pancreas, adrenal, urinary bladder, kidney, thyroid, heart, lung, and brain were collected and fixed in 10% formalin and processed routinely in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory of the Veterinary Hospital UFMT for histopathological analysis.

RESULTS:

The amount A. pubiflora ingested by sheep from group 1 during the induction of resistance and by sheep from groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 during challenge as well as the severity of clinical signs and the outcome of the poisoning are presented in table 1. The mean heart rates during the period of administration of A. pubiflora and the average time between the start of administration and the first signs are shown in figure 1.

Figure 1
Graphical representation of the average time for the onset of clinical signs and the average heart rate (bpm) of the four groups of sheep in the different phases of Amorimiapubiflora administration. In G1 resistance was induced by daily administration of non-toxic doses of A. pubiflora,in G2 resistance was induced by tranasfaunation of ruminal fluid from resistant sheep. G3 and G4 were controls without resistance induction.

In group 1 during the resistance induction period two sheep showed moderate clinical signs. In sheep 2 showed clinical signs 93h and 286h after the start of administration. In both occasions, the administration was suspended and restarted after 74 and 60h later, respectively. In sheep 3 the administration was suspended 119h and 262h after the start of ingestion and restarted 47h and 133h later.

During challenge, the mean time to the observation of first clinical signs of the G1 (resistant) (89h27min±15h32min) was significantly higher than that of G3 (control) (23h15min±00h37min) (P<0.05). The average value of heart rate (HR) of the G1 (resistant), (77±14bpm) was significantly lower than the HR of the G3 (control) (126±25bpm) (P<0.05). The period of observation of the first clinical signs of the G2 sheep after the first challenge with the administration of 1g kg-1 during three days (100h47min±11h48min) and after the second challenge with one dose of 3g kg-1 (29h44min±10h13min) were significantly higher than those of controls groups G3 (23h15min±00h37min) and G4 (13h10min±03h06min) (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the values of HR in group 2 during the challenge with 1g kg-1 daily during three days (84±17bpm) and the challenge with 3g kg-1 in one administration (119±57bpm). But the HR was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the control groups: 126±25bpm in G3, and 176±17bpm in G4. The four sheep from Group 4 (control) died when challenged with a single dose of 3g kg-1, while the sheep from G2 sheep (transfauned) challenged with the same dose survived. Sheep 3 from this group were challenged with a single dose of 3g kg-1 166 days after the end of the experiment also survived, but died when challenged with a single dose of 5g kg-1 two weeks later.

DISCUSSION:

Results of this experiment demonstrated that the daily intake of non-toxic doses of A. pubiflora to sheep increases the resistance to poisoning by this plant. They also demonstrated that this resistance can be transferred by transfaunation of rumen fluid from resistant sheep to susceptible sheep that never ingested A. pubiflora. Similar results were obtained by DUARTE et al. (2013DUARTE, A.L.L. et al. Induction and transfer of resistance to poisoning by Amorimia (Mascagnia) septentrionalis in goats. Journal of Applied Toxicology, v.34, p.220-223, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23400835 >. Accessed: Nov. 10, 2013. doi: 10.1002/jat.2860.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23400...
) who demonstrated an increase in the resistance to poisoning by A. septentrionalis in goats after the repeated ingestion of non-toxic doses of this plant and also that this resistance may be transferred by transfaunation of ruminal fluid to susceptible goats.

Farmers from Colniza, MT reported that cattle coming from regions where "sudden death" did not occurwere more susceptible to A. pubiflora poisoning, which can be an indication that the animals become resistant to the consumption of MFA-containing plants (BECKER et al., 2013BECKER, M. et al. The importance of poisoning by Amorimia pubiflora (Malpighiaceae) in cattle in Mato Grosso: experimental reproduction of the poisoning in sheep and cattle. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, v. 33, n.9, p.1049-1056, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-2013_11-40Vet%201459_3207%20LD.pdf >. Accessed: Oct. 13, 2013.
http://www.pvb.com.br/pdf_artigos/12-10-...
). Another possibility is that the higher resistance is due to the death of the more susceptible animals in the areas where MFA-containing plants occurred. Similar observations report that animals grazing in areas with A. rigida are more resistant to poisoning than those kept in areas without this plant (SILVA et al., 2008SILVA, P. et al. Poisoning by Mascagnia rigida (Malpighiaceae) leaves in sheep Comunicação científica. Arquivos do Instituto Biológico Animal, v.75, n.2, p.229-233, 2008. Available from: <Available from: http://www.biologico.sp.gov.br/docs/arq/v75_2/silva.pdf >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013.
http://www.biologico.sp.gov.br/docs/arq/...
).

Resistance has been related with the presence of ruminal MFA-degrading microorganisms in the rumen, which contain a dehydrogenase enzyme that breaks the carbon-fluorine bond, producing fluorine and glycolate (FETZNER & LINGENS, 1994FETZNER, S.; LINGENS, F. Bacterial dehalogenases: biochemistry, genetics, and biotechnological applications. Microbiological Reviews, v.58, n.4, p.641-685, 1994. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7854251 >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/78542...
). Thirteen fungi and 11 bacteria that degrade MFA were isolated from soil samples in Australia (TWIGG & SOCHA, 2001TWIGG, L.E.; SOCHA, L.V. Defluorination of sodium monofluoroacetate by soil microorganisms from central Australia. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, v.33, p.227-234, 2001. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0038071700001346 >. Accessed: Feb. 06, 2013. doi: 10.1016/S0038-0717(00)00134-6.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
). In the state of Paraíba seven MFA-degrading bacteria were isolated from soil or plants (CAMBOIM et al., 2012aCAMBOIM, K.A. et al. Defluorination of sodium fluoroacetate by bacteria from soil and plants in Brazil. Scientific World Journal, v.2012, p.1-5, 2012a. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3349100/ >. Accessed: Feb. 04, 2013. doi: 10.1100/2012/149893.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
) and two were isolated from the rumen of goats (CAMBOIM et al., 2012bCAMBOIM, K.A. et al. Isolation and identification of sodium fluoroacetate degrading bactéria from caprine rumen in Brazil., Scientific World Journal v.2012, p. 1-6, 2012b. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3417187/ >. Accessed: Feb. 09, 2013. doi: 10.1100/2012/178254.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
). In the state of Mato Grosso, two MFA-degrading bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus sp., were isolated from the rumen content of cattle (PIMENTEL, 2011PIMENTEL, M.F.A. Isolamento e identificação de microrganismo resistente ao fluoroacetato de sódio. 2011. 42f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Medicina Veterinária) - Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, MT.). In Australia a genetically modified ruminal bacteria, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, was used to increase resistance to MFA poisoning (GREGG et al., 1998GREGG, K. et al. Genetically modified ruminal bacteria protect sheep from fluoroacetate poisoning. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, v.9, p.3496-3498, 1998. Available from: <Available from: http://aem.asm.org/content/64/9/3496.full.pdf >. Accessed: Feb. 06, 2013.
http://aem.asm.org/content/64/9/3496.ful...
). The increase of the resistance to A. pubiflora by the continuous administration of small doses of this plant and the transference of the resistance to other sheep by the transfaunation of ruminal fluid indicated that MFA-degrading bacteria may be normal inhabitants of the ruminal flora and that the ingestion of non-toxic doses of MFA-containing plants stimulates their multiplication (CAMBOIM et al., 2012bCAMBOIM, K.A. et al. Isolation and identification of sodium fluoroacetate degrading bactéria from caprine rumen in Brazil., Scientific World Journal v.2012, p. 1-6, 2012b. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3417187/ >. Accessed: Feb. 09, 2013. doi: 10.1100/2012/178254.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
).

These results showed that the increase of resistance conferred by the ingestion of non-toxic doses of MFA-containing plants, transfaunation of rumen fluid from resistant animals, and intraruminal inoculation of MFA-degrading bacteria (PESSOA et al. 2015PESSOA D.A.N. et al. Resistance to poisoning by Amorimia septentrionalis in goats induced by ruminal inoculation of the bacteria Pigmentiphaga kullae and Ancylobacter dichloromethanicus., Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira v.35, n.2, p.125-128, 2015. Available from: <Available from: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/pvb/v35n2/0100-736X-pvb-35-02-00125.pdf >. Accessed: Mar. 03, 2015.
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/pvb/v35n2/0100-...
) may be used to prevent poisoning by MFA-containing plants. However, these possibilities should be considered along with other alternatives, such as the knowledge of the epidemiology of the poisoning, chemical or mechanical control of the plant, and the restriction on the use areas with the presence of the plants. In Mato Grosso, manual removal or chemical control of A. pubiflora in the pastures and the use of fences to isolate the affected areas has not been effective because the plant has deep taproots, which predisposes the regrowth, and is generally present in all pastures.

Survival of sheep 3 challenged, 166 days after the induction of the lethal toxic dose of 3g kg-1, indicates a possibility of durable resistance to this period. However, the death of this sheep, 14 days after, with the dose of 5g kg-1 suggested that despite a significant increase in resistance the animals remain susceptible to high doses of the plant. New experiments are needed to determine the most efficient ways to induce resistance and to use this technique in the field to prevent the poisoning.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this experiment demonstrated that the daily intake of non-toxic single doses of A. pubiflora increases the resistance of sheep to the poisoning by this plant and that resistance can be transferred by transfaunation of rumen content from resistant to susceptible sheep.

BIOETHICS AND BIOSECURITY COMMITTEE APPROVAL

This study was approved by ETHICS IN ANIMAL USE COMMITTEE (CEUA) of the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), through the process number 23108.014901/11-7 of May 13, 2011.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The National Institute of Science and Technology for Poison Control for Plants - Process 0573534-2008-0 for funding this project, Dr William R. Anderson for botanical identification.

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  • 1
    CR-2014-1484.R4

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Apr 2016

History

  • Received
    07 Oct 2014
  • Accepted
    06 Oct 2015
  • Reviewed
    17 Jan 2016
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