Experimental Narthecium ossifragum nephrotoxicity in cervids from Norway

One moose (Alces alces), two red deer (Cervus elaphus), two reindeer (Rangi fer tarandus) and two fallow deer (Dama dama) were dosed intraruminally wit h an aqueous extract made from 30 g of bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) (wet weight) per kg live weight. The moose and one of the two reindeer wer e mildly depressed and had reduced appetite 3 to 7 days and 1 to 4 days aft er dosing, respectively. The serum creatinine and urea concentrations incre ased markedly in the moose and red deer, and moderately in the reindeer. No increase in serum creatinine and urea was observed in the fallow deer. His topathological examination of the kidneys of the animals, killed 8 to 10 da ys after dosing, revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration, necrosis, a nd regeneration in the moose, red deer and reindeer. The renal lesions were severe in the moose, moderate in the red deer and mild in the reindeer. No histopathological lesions were seen in the kidneys of the fallow deer.