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Heliotropium europaeum poisoning of sheep with low liver copper concentrations and the preventive efficacy of cobalt and antimethanogen
Author(s) -
PETERSON JE,
PAYNE AL,
CULVENOR CCJ
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1992.tb07448.x
Subject(s) - grazing , zoology , copper , biology , agronomy , body weight , wet weight , chemistry , endocrinology , organic chemistry
SUMMARY In a field experiment in the Mallee district of Victoria, Merino x Border Leicester ewes and wethers grazed Hellotroplum europaeum (hellotrope) over periods of 3 to 4 months in 4 successive years. By the end of the second year 12% (14 of 120) of the sheep had died; after 4 years the loss attributable to hellotrope was between 18% and 35%. Mortality was not affected by intraruminal treatment with cobalt or antimethanogen. At the end of the experiment the highest concentration of copper in the liver was 1.95 mmol/kg wet weight (approximately 413 mUg/g dry weight). The relatively low mortality from primary hellotrope poisoning and the low concentration of copper in the liver of sheep grazing the plant are discussed in relation to the contrasting situation that prevails in the Riverina area of New South Wales. The importance of local environmental factors in the management of hellotrope grazing by sheep is emphasised, particularly in relation to the number of seasons in which the plant may be a major component of the diet.