METABOLISM OF THE TOXIC PRINCIPLE OF ASTRAGALUS MISER VAR. SEROTINUS IN RUMINANTS AND NON-RUMINANTS

Abstract

Rats and mice fed timber milk vetch (TMV) developed symptoms within 36 hours and died approximately 24 hours later. The rapidity of the onset of symptoms depended on the amount of TMV consumed. The symptoms included a loss of equilibrium, staggered gait and a characteristic arching of the back. Extensive hemorrhages were seen in the gastric mucosa. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum isocitrate dehydrogenase of rats fed TMV. By paper chromatographic procedures it is shown that miserotoxin is hydrolyzed to glucose and 3-nitropropionic acid under the acidic conditions of the stomach in monogastric animals. In ruminants, miserotoxin is hydrolyzed to glucose and 3-nitro-1-propanol.