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Biomedical subjects

S B Hooser

Publications and source records attributed to S B Hooser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cisplatin-DNA adduct formation in rat spermatozoa and its effect on fetal development.

Exposure of males to some genotoxic chemicals causes DNA damage in spermatozoa resulting in embryotoxicity and developmental defects in their offspring. This study demonstrates that cisplatin-DNA adducts could be measured in spermatozoa following treatment with the antineoplastic drug, cisplatin. The formation of spermatozoa cisplatin-DNA adducts showed dose and time-dependent increases both in vitro, and in vivo up to 168 h (7 days) after dosing. Treatment of rats with 10 mg cisplatin/kg resulted in spermatozoa Pt-GG adduct levels of approximately 1.0 fmol/microg DNA. When cisplatin-treated male rats were bred to untreated females 6-24 h after cisplatin administration, no adverse developmental effects or decreases in body weight were seen in the offspring although there was a trend towards increased early embryo mortality.

Animals↗

Acute pit gas (hydrogen sulfide) poisoning in confinement cattle.

Rapid deaths in confinement cattle caused by exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas from manure pits has not been reported in the USA. In 1997, 158 cattle in 2 confinement pens were exposed to H2S gas as the manure in the pits under a slatted floor was agitated prior to pumping. Approximately 35 of the cattle were lying on the floor when the upper agitator was turned on. Within 5 minutes, many these cattle were down on their sides and paddling. Of these, 26 died within a few minutes. The survivors were treated and sent to slaughter. Cattle that did not show immediate signs of toxicosis remained clinically unaffected. Two steers that were near death were brought to the Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for clinical evaluation, euthanasia, and necropsy. They were recumbent and unresponsive to visual and auditory stimuli. Necropsy examination yielded no significant gross lesions. No evidence of viral or bacterial infection was found. Ocular fluid nitrate concentrations were within normal limits, and no lead was detected in either animal. Microscopic examination revealed lesions consistent with H2S-induced central nervous system anoxia. Histologically, sections of brain demonstrated massive, diffuse cerebral cortical laminar necrosis and edema. Portions of the outer lamina contained hypereosinophilic and shrunken neurons. The subcortical white matter was vacuolated in some areas. The history, clinical signs, and histologic lesion of cerebral laminar necrosis led to a diagnosis of H2S toxicosis in these cattle.

Animals↗

Effects of storage conditions and hemolysis on vitamin E concentrations in porcine serum and liver.

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is an antioxidant vitamin important in protecting unsaturated fatty acids in lipid membranes from peroxidation. Variation in collection, storage, and shipping conditions of samples can potentially lead to breakdown of vitamin E prior to analysis. Therefore, the purposes of this project were 1) to determine the stability of vitamin E in refrigerated and frozen porcine liver and serum and 2) to evaluate the effects of red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis on porcine serum vitamin E concentrations. Porcine liver and nonhemolyzed serum were collected and stored refrigerated or frozen. Samples were analyzed for vitamin E immediately or on days 2, 3, 7, or 14. In addition, porcine RBCs were added to normal serum at concentrations from 1 x 10(6) to 1 X 10(9) RBC/ml and hemolyzed by freeze-thaw prior to analysis for vitamin E or products of lipid peroxidation.

Animals↗

Suppression of Kupffer cell function prevents cadmium induced hepatocellular necrosis in the male Sprague-Dawley rat.

Exposure of humans to toxic metals and metalloids is a major environmental problem. Many metals, such as cadmium, can be hepatotoxic. However, the mechanisms by which metals cause acute hepatic injury are in many cases unknown. Previous reports suggest a major role for inflammation in acute cadmium induced hepatotoxicity. In initial experiments we found that a non-hepatotoxic dose of cadmium chloride (CdCl2; 2.0 mg/kg, i.v.) markedly increased the clearance rate of colloidal carbon from the blood, which is indicative of enhanced phagocytic activity by Kupffer cells (resident hepatic macrophages). Thus. the objective these studies was to determine the involvement of Kupffer cells in cadmium induced liver injury by inhibiting their function with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered GdCl3 (10 mg/kg, i.v.) followed 24 h later by a single dose of CdCl2 (3.0 and 4.0 mg/kg, i.v.). Twenty four hours after CdCl2 administration animals were killed and the degree of liver toxicity was assessed using plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as light microscopy. Cadmium chloride administration produced multifocal hepatocellular necrosis and increased plasma ALT activity. Pretreatment with GdCl3 significantly reduced both the morphological changes and hepatic ALT release caused by CdCl2. However, the protection was specific to the liver, and did not alter CdCl2 induced testicular injury, as determined by histopathological damage. In many cases, the inducible cadmium-binding protein, metallothionein (MT) is often an essential aspect of the acquisition of cadmium tolerance in the liver. Although cadmium caused a dramatic induction of hepatic MT (32-fold), GdCl3 caused only a minor increase (2-fold). Combined CdCl2 and GdCl3 treatment did not induce levels to an extent greater than CdCl2 alone. As expected, GdCl3 also caused a slight increase in the amount of cadmium associated with the liver. In cultured hepatocytes isolated from GdCl3 pretreated rats, CdCl2 induced cytotoxicity was not significantly altered compared to control hepatocytes, indicating that the mechanism of tolerance required the presence of other cell types. Thus, GdCl3 attenuation of CdCl2 induced hepatotoxicity does not appear to be caused by increased tissue MT content or a decreased susceptibility of hepatocytes to cadmium. From these data, we concluded that tolerance to cadmium induced hepatotoxicity involves the inhibition of Kupffer cell function which results in a decreased inflammatory response and an altered progression of hepatic injury. These data further indicate that Kupffer cell function is critical to cadmium induced hepatocellular necrosis.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Tolerance induced by all-trans-retinol to the hepatotoxic effects of cadmium in rats: role of metallothionein expression.

Recently, it has been shown that large doses of all-trans-retinol (vitamin A) can potentiate the hepatotoxicity of several organic chemicals in the rat. Whether retinol pretreatment can alter the acute hepatotoxicity of an inorganic chemical, such as cadmium, is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine how retinol might affect the acute toxicity of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and to elucidate possible mechanisms. Cadmium exposure can induce acute, lethal hepatocellular necrosis in rodents, as well as lesions in the lung, kidney, testis, and gastrointestinal tract. In the present studies, male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with retinol (75 mg/kg/day, po) for 7 consecutive days. One day after the last dose of retinol, animals were given a single injection of CdCl2 (2.5 to 4.0 mg/kg, iv). Cadmium chloride administration to unpretreated control rats caused extensive hepatic, renal, pulmonary, and testicular toxicity at 6, 24, and 48 hr postdosing as evaluated by plasma enzymes and/or histopathology. In retinol-pretreated rats, a significant attenuation of CdCl2-induced tissue injury was observed. Since the inducible cadmium-binding protein metallothionein (MT) is often an essential aspect of cadmium tolerance, its content in tissue was assessed using the cadmium-hemoglobin assay. Interestingly, retinol pretreatment significantly increased MT in the liver by sevenfold, but had no effect on lung, kidney, testicular, or pancreatic MT content. Although this increase in hepatic MT was much less than that induced by CdCl2, it was additive to the induction of CdCl2. Furthermore, the tissue distribution of cadmium was significantly altered by retinol pretreatment. The liver accumulated more cadmium, while less cadmium was found in the lung, kidney, and testis in retinol-pretreated rats than in controls. In monolayers of primary isolated hepatocytes, CdCl2-induced toxicity was significantly reduced in cells isolated from retinol-pretreated rats compared to those isolated from control rats. The dose response was shifted to the right and the in vitro cadmium LC50 was increased by in vivo retinol exposure from 1.1 +/- 0.1 to 2.4 +/- 0.04 microM. From these data it is concluded that the induction of hepatic MT is an essential aspect of retinol-induced tolerance to CdCl2 hepatotoxicity, as well as toxicity in other tissues.

Animals↗

The interactions between retinol and five different hepatotoxicants in the Swiss Webster mouse.

The interactive effects between retinol and various hepatotoxicants (allyl alcohol, acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, D-galactosamine, and phalloidin) were studied in the male Swiss Webster mouse. The mice were administered retinol at 75 mg/kg/day (or the vehicle of retinol) by oral gavage for 7 days. Hepatoxicity produced by the chemicals was determined by plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and histopathology. After 7 days of retinol pretreatment, the hepatotoxicities of allyl alcohol, acetaminophen, and galactosamine were potentiated. Interestingly, the hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride and phalloidin was protected by identical retinol pretreatment. Microscopic examination of histologic liver sections demonstrated the specific hepatic necrosis associated with each individual chemical and confirmed the ALT values obtained. Once an interaction between retinol and the five hepatotoxicants was established, the duration of retinol pretreatment necessary to elicit an interaction was determined for each hepatotoxicant. Results demonstrated that the duration of retinol pretreatment was specific for each hepatotoxicant. The accumulation of retinoids in the liver during retinol pretreatment was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Significant increases in the basal liver levels of retinol and retinyl palmitate were seen within 1 to 3 days of retinol treatment compared to control. Retinol pretreatment resulted in potentiation or protection of specific hepatotoxicant-induced liver damage. Currently, studies are being conducted which probe into the mechanisms of these interactions.

1-Propanol↗

All-trans-retinol alteration of 1-nitronaphthalene-induced pulmonary and hepatic injury by modulation of associated inflammatory responses in the male Sprague-Dawley rat.

Large doses of retinol (vitamin A) have been shown to potentiate the hepatotoxicity of several chemicals in rats. The objective of this study was to determine how retinol would affect the pulmonary and hepatic toxicity caused by 1-nitronaphthalene (1-NN). All-trans-retinol (75 mg/kg/day, po) was administered for 7 days to male Sprague-Dawley rats. One day after the last dose of retinol, animals were given a single injection of 1-NN (100 mg/kg, ip). At 24 hr, animals receiving retinol vehicle and 1-NN exhibited respiratory distress syndrome and chromodacryorrhea. Pulmonary morphological changes included necrosis and exfoliation of the bronchiolar epithelium, as well as infiltration of inflammatory cells into the interstitial areas around affected bronchioles. The bronchioalveolar lavage fluid from these animals exhibited significant increases in the activities of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as protein and inflammatory cell content. Following pretreatment with retinol, none of the animals treated with 1-NN exhibited outward signs of toxicity. In addition, the lavage fluid of these rats revealed significant reductions in inflammatory cells, protein, and LDH activity. However, lavage fluid GGT activity was significantly increased. Morphological evaluation of the lungs revealed nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cell damage with no associated inflammation. Retinol pretreatment resulted in potentiated hepatotoxicity as indicated by increases in plasma alanine aminotransferase and GGT activities, as well as plasma total bilirubin. The altered plasma enzyme activities correlated with increased hepatocyte and bile duct epithelial necrosis, as well as an increased infiltration of neutrophils into the areas around bile ducts. Retinol potentiation of 1-NN-induced hepatocyte necrosis was significantly reduced following pretreatment with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3). From these experiments, we conclude that in the lung pretreatment with retinol decreased the severity of 1-NN-induced toxicity apparently by an anti-inflammatory mechanism. In the liver, retinol potentiated 1-NN-induced liver injury apparently through a proinflammatory mechanism by activating Kupffer cells and increasing the infiltration of neutrophils into the periportal regions adjacent to bile ducts.

Animals↗

Alterations in chemically induced tissue injury related to all-trans-retinol pretreatment in rodents.

Retinol (vitamin A) is an essential nutrient which has many physiological effects throughout the body. Our studies have demonstrated that retinol modulation of immune response, through alteration of macrophage and neutrophil function, can have dramatic effects on the toxicity of some compounds. Based on these studies, our current hypothesis for retinol potentiation of chemical-induced liver injury is that retinol administered to rats prior to the hepatotoxicant (CCl4 and AA in rats; and AA, APAP, and GalN in mice) primes the Kupffer cells to a more active state. This may occur in part as a result of increases in chemical mediators such as TNF from these Kupffer cells. Following hepatocyte damage by a toxicant, Kupffer cells are activated to release reactive oxygen species, immune mediators, and chemotactic factors which all serve to enhance the inflammatory response. This increased inflammatory response then results in increased injury to the already toxicant-damaged hepatocytes. In addition, retinol modulation of toxicant activation and detoxification may also make important contributions to the potentiation of some toxicants such as AA. Retinol protection of CCl4 hepatotoxicity in mice is more difficult to explain at this time but is possibly related to alterations in CCl4 metabolism in this species. Differences in response between pulmonary and liver macrophages (Kupffer cells) may explain the retinol protection from 1-NN pulmonary toxicity. Retinol may decrease the inflammatory response through downregulation of pulmonary macrophage function, thus resulting in decreased pulmonary injury. Finally, since retinol protection of cadmium toxicity in the liver and testis requires 7 days of retinol pretreatment, we suspect that retinol is inducing protective protein(s) in these organs. Aside from its normal biological role in rhe body, clinical medicine has found new uses for retinol in the treatment and prevention of some cancers, and in the treatment of certain dermatologic conditions. Since these patients are frequently administered or exposed to other potentially toxic compounds, it is obviously prudent and necessary to continue research into the effects of retinol on immune modulation and interaction with other compounds. More importantly, these studies demonstrate the modulation of immune function is one mechanism by which one chemical can influence the toxicity of another.

Animals↗

Vitamin A modulation of xenobiotic-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents.

Vitamin A (VA, retinol) has been shown to modulate cells of the immune system. When rats are pretreated with VA (75 mg/kg/day) for 7 days, there is greatly potentiated liver damage upon subsequent exposure to hepatotoxicants such as CCl4. This potentiated damage can be blocked by superoxide dismutase or catalase, suggesting that reactive oxygen species are playing a major role in the increased liver injury. The studies reported here examined VA-induced modulation of CCl4 hepatotoxicity in different strains of male rats, female rats, and different strains of male mice. Also, the role of VA-induced weight loss on potentiation of CCl4 injury was investigated. Rats or mice were dosed with VA (retinol) at 75 mg/kg/day, po, for 7 days. In an additional VA dose-response study, mice were given VA at 18.8, 37.5, or 75 mg/kg/day, po, for 7 days. On day 8 they were given a dose of CCl4 which elicited mild hepatic damage. On day 9 they were necropsied. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, and male Fischer-344 and athymic nude rats pretreated with VA had an approximately 10-fold increase in liver damage as compared to vehicle controls. Pretreatment of male Balb/C, C3H/HeJ, Swiss-Webster, or athymic nude mice resulted in a marked reduction of CCl4-induced hepatic damage. In the dose-response study in mice, increasing doses of VA elicited increasing amounts of protection from CCl4-induced liver injury. Paired feeding studies revealed that VA-induced weight loss (or decreased weight gain) had no effect on subsequent VA-induced potentiation (rats) or protection (mice) from hepatic damage caused by CCl4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alanine Transaminase↗

Differential ovotoxicity of 4-vinylcyclohexene and its analog, 4-phenylcyclohexene.

Vinylcyclohexene (VCH) is an industrial byproduct that is known to cause the destruction of ovarian follicles in mice. Its analog, 4-phenylcyclohexene (4PC), is a volatile product from latex-backed carpeting. These studies were undertaken to assess the structure-activity relationships of these compounds and the potential for 4PC to cause ovotoxicity. Female B6C3F1 mice were dosed with VCH (6 mmol/kg/day, ip) or 4PC (3 or 6 mmol/kg/day, ip) daily for 30 days. Treatment with VCH caused dramatic reductions in small and growing follicles as compared to those of vehicle controls. No treatment-related ovarian lesions were associated with 4PC administration. Plasma FSH concentrations were unaltered by treatment with either compound. These results indicate that in mice, the substitution of the phenyl for the vinyl group in the 4 position eliminates the ovotoxicity caused by this class of compounds. Presumably, the ability of the vinyl group to form an epoxide (or dihydrodiol) and/or its smaller size accounts for this difference in ovarian toxicity.

Animals↗

Uptake and subcellular localization of tritiated dihydro-microcystin-LR in rat liver.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin (mol. wt = 994) produced by the blue-green alga (cyanobacterium), Microcystis aeruginosa, was reduced with tritium labeled sodium borohydride, converted to [3H]-dihydro-microcystin-LR ( [3H]-2HMC-LR), and purified to greater than 99% purity by C-18 reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The uptake and subcellular distribution of [3H]-2HMC-LR were determined in suspensions of hepatocytes at 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C, or following rifampicin pretreatment, and in perfused rat liver. The remaining cells were homogenized and subfractionated using sucrose gradient centrifugation. Suspensions of 7.5 x 10(6) hepatocytes also were incubated with 10 micrograms/ml of toxin, solubilized in Triton X-100, and ultracentrifuged to pellet the detergent insoluble fraction (containing actin). Isolated rat livers were perfused with media containing [3H]-2HMC-LR and the uptake of radiolabel was determined. Sequential biopsy samples were collected for histologic examination. The remaining liver was homogenized and subcellular fractions prepared. Uptake of radiolabel was rapid in both cell suspension at 37 degrees C and perfused liver; however, uptake in cell suspensions was reduced by about 50% at 0 degrees C and by rifampicin (50 micrograms/ml) pretreatment. Hepatocyte necrosis was observed in isolated perfused livers 45 min after initiation of perfusion with [3H]-2HMC-LR. In both hepatocyte suspensions and perfused livers 65 to 77% of the radiolabel was in the cytosolic fraction. In the hepatocyte suspensions, 13 to 18% of the radiolabel was present in the plasma membrane/nuclear fraction with lesser amounts in the other fractions. Trichloroacetic acid treatment of cytosolic fractions indicated that in hepatocyte suspensions, 50-60% of the radiolabel was bound to cytosolic protein. Studies using the perfused liver confirmed that the majority of the radiolabeled MCLR (78-88%) was bound to cytosolic protein. These data suggest that the uptake of [3H]-2HMC-LR occurs primarily by an energy-dependent transport process involving the rifampicin-sensitive hepatic bile acid carrier and that once inside the hepatocyte, the toxin binds to a cytosolic protein(s).

Animals↗

Actin filament alterations in rat hepatocytes induced in vivo and in vitro by microcystin-LR, a hepatotoxin from the blue-green alga, Microcystis aeruginosa.

The morphologic effects of microcystin-LR (MCLR) were examined in vitro and in vivo to identify the specific cell type(s) affected and to characterize the actin filament changes occurring in hepatocytes. Male Sprague Dawley rats were used for all studies. For in vitro studies, hepatic cells were isolated by collagenase perfusion of liver, while parenchymal cells (hepatocytes) and nonparenchymal cells were prepared by pronase digestion and metrimazide gradient centrifugation. Cell suspensions and and primary hepatocyte monolayer cultures were treated with MCLR at doses up to 10 micrograms/ml; cultured hepatocytes were also treated with phalloidin or cytochalasin B at a dose of 10 micrograms/ml; and rats were treated intraperitoneally with MCLR at 180 mg/kg. Cultured hepatocyte preparations and frozen liver sections were stained with rhodamine-labeled phalloidin for filamentous actin. In cell suspensions, MCLR did not affect nonparenchymal cells but caused rapid, progressive, blebbing of the plasma membrane in hepatocytes. In cultured hepatocytes, MCLR caused plasma membrane blebbing as well as marked reorganization of actin microfilaments. These alterations were dose and time dependent. Cultured hepatocytes treated with phalloidin or cytochalasin B also showed extensive plasma membrane blebbing and actin filament alterations; however, actin filament changes were morphologically distinct from those induced by MCLR. In vivo, MCLR-induced hepatocyte actin alterations occurred at the same time as, or slightly preceded, histologic changes that began 30 minutes after dosing. These studies suggest that early MCLR-induced morphologic changes occurring both in vivo and in vitro are due to alterations in hepatocyte actin filaments.

Actins↗

Reversal of cholinesterase inhibition and clinical signs and the postmortem findings in mice after intraperitoneal administration of anatoxin-a(s), paraoxon or pyridostigmine.

The reversibility of inhibition of plasma, red blood cell (RBC), and diaphragm cholinesterase (ChE) and clinical signs in mice given anatoxin-a(s) [antx-a(s)], a ChE inhibitor from Anabaena flos-aquae NRC-525-17, were characterized and compared with the effects of 2 known ChE inhibitors, the organophosphorus compound paraoxon and the carbamate pyridostigmine bromide. To follow recovery of ChE activity, mice were given either a control solution or an LD40 dose of one of the toxicants ip and killed at time points up to 8 d postdosing. After dosing, mice were monitored for diarrhea, fasciculations, respiratory difficulty, salivation, and tremors. In general, clinical signs in mice given antx-a(s) persisted longer than in mice given pyridostigmine and were more similar in duration to the clinical signs in mice given paraoxon. Histologic lesions were not detected in tissues of mice killed after administration of antx-a(s). Anatoxin-a(s) inhibited lesions were diaphragm ChE for greater than 1 but less than 2 d and RBC ChE for 8 d. The time required for recovery from Antx-a(s)-induced inhibition of ChE in plasma, RBC, and diaphragm was similar to or longer than that with paraoxon and longer than that with pyridostigmine. Based on the duration of antx-a(s) induced clinical signs and ChE inhibition in mice, antx-a(s) appears to be an in vivo irreversible inhibitor of ChE.

Animals↗

Toxicology of selected pesticides, drugs, and chemicals. Boric acid.

With the advent of boric acid insecticides, accidental ingestion of the compound can be encountered in animals. Toxic levels of boric acid most commonly cause vomiting, depression, and, occasionally, diarrhea. Boric acid is, however, cytotoxic to all cells. If a sufficiently high level is ingested, seizures, renal tubular nephrosis, and, rarely, hepatotoxicity may be noted. Gastrointestinal evaluation and supportive care are usually of primary therapeutic importance, although in severe cases, exchange transfusion and/or peritoneal dialysis may be required to decrease blood boron concentrations.

Animals↗

Microcystin-LR-induced ultrastructural changes in rats.

The ultrastructure of hepatic, pulmonary, and renal lesions was evaluated in rats injected intraperitoneally with a lethal dose of microcystin-LR (MCLR, 160 micrograms/kg), a cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin produced by the blue-green algae, Microcystis aeruginosa. Hepatic lesions were first seen at 10 minutes post-dosing and consisted of mild widening of hepatocyte intercellular spaces centrilobularly. At 20 minutes post-dosing, hepatocyte plasma membrane alterations were more pronounced, consisting of plasma membrane invagination with formation of variably sized and shaped intracytoplasmic vacuoles, loss of microvilli along the sinusoidal face, and widespread, pronounced hepatocyte separation. By 30 minutes, the space of Disse was markedly widened. At 60 minutes post-dosing, centrilobular areas contained necrotic cells and apparently intact, isolated, organelles intermingled with erythrocytes and platelets. In less severely affected regions there was prominent hepatocyte rounding, and erythrocytes and platelets were present in the widened space of Disse. Large amounts of hepatocellular debris and intact hepatocytes were present in the pulmonary vasculature, while smaller amounts of debris were also seen in the glomerular and peritubular capillaries of the renal cortex. This study shows that initial lesions are confined to shape changes in the plasma membrane of hepatocytes. These changes are consistent with the hypothesis that microcystin-LR induces alterations in the hepatocyte cytoskeleton. Later changes consist of hepatocyte disassociation and necrosis, as well as endothelial damage, which allow release of hepatocytes and debris into the circulation with microembolism in lungs and kidneys.

Animals↗

Atypical contagious ecthyma in a sheep after extensive cutaneous thermal injury.

An atypical case of contagious ecthyma in a wether, following severe thermal injury to the skin, is reported. Histologically, extensive verrucous growths at the edges of the burned skin were areas of severe epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis. Intracellular viral particles were present, and sections of skin were positive for ovine contagious ecthyma virus by a fluorescent antibody test.

Animals↗

Algae intoxication in livestock and waterfowl.

Blue-green algae toxins include (1) hepatotoxic peptides that are known to be toxic to cattle, dogs, swine, waterfowl, and sometimes other species; (2) a nicotinic agonist neurotoxin that appears to be toxic to a wide range of animal species; (3) a peripheral-acting cholinesterase inhibitor that is very toxic to swine, birds, and dogs; (4) toxins that impair nervous transmission by blocking sodium channels in nerve cells; and (5) lipopolysaccharide endotoxins. This article provides current information on the mechanisms of action of the primary toxins recognized to date as well as on procedures important in the diagnosis and management of some of the more common cyanobacterial toxicoses in livestock and waterfowl.

Animals↗