NEPHROTOXICITY IN GOATS CAUSED BY DOSING WITH A WATER EXTRACT FROM THE STEMS OF NARTHECIUM-OSSIFRAGUM PLANTS

Seven goats were given a single dose of an aqueous extract derived fro m 30 g (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. Their serum creatinine and urea concentrations increased to day 5 but then f ell to normal by day 10. Serum magnesium increased to day 4 and decrea sed to normal by day 9. Their serum calcium concentration was lower th an normal on days 4, 5 and 6. Histopathological examination of the kid neys of goats killed or found dead 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 or 16 days after dos ing revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. Regene ration of the tubular epithelium and signs of interstitial fibroplast proliferation and fibrosis could be seen in animals killed on days 8, 11, 16 and 42. No signs of liver damage were observed in 3 goats dosed with the insoluble plant material from 40 g (wet weight) Narthecium o ssifragum per kg liveweight. The total dose was divided into three dos es, which were given intraruminally within 7 h. The activities of aspa rtate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and glutamate dehydr ogenase remained within the normal range in all 10 goats after dosing.