Abstract
This chapter aims to document the toxicity of A. houstonianum from Nepal, better characterize the chemistry of toxic A. houstonianum and describe the clinical and pathological changes of poisoning in livestock. Fresh A. houstonianum fed to buffalo calves produced hepatic disease similar to that seen in spontaneous poisonings. Chemical analysis suggested that this toxicity may be largely due to pyrrolizidine alkaloid. Tabulated data on the haematology (erythrocyte count, haematocrit and haemoglobin contents) and serum biochemistry (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, bilirubin and glucose) results of buffalo calves fed A. houstonianum are provided. Additional work is needed to better characterize A. houstonianum toxins, define the toxic dose, characterize A. houstonianum-induced lesions, and to determine when A. houstonianum is likely to cause livestock poisoning.