Neurolathyrism in goat (Capra hircus) kid: Model development

• Published in: Research in veterinary science 2020-10, Vol.132, p.49-53
• Main Authors: Khandare, Arjun L., B, Kalakumar, Validandi, Vakdevi, SSYH, Qadri, Harishankar, N., Singh, Surya S., Kodali, Venkaiah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Anorexia; Blood; Capra hircus; Cerebrospinal fluid; Disease Models, Animal; Epidemics; Experiments; Goat Diseases - etiology; Goats; Grass peas; Lathyrism - etiology; Lathyrism - veterinary; Lathyrus - poisoning; Lathyrus sativus; Muscle conduction velocity; Nerve conduction; Nerve conduction velocity; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - etiology; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - veterinary; Peas; Seeds; Statistical analysis; Susceptibility; Toxins; Urine; Velocity; Veterinary medicine; β-ODAP
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.05.019

The present study was undertaken to develop an animal model to study neurolathyrism. For this purpose 24 goat (Capra hircus) kids (new born, 15 days old) were divided into four groups. Group I Control, Group II Low toxin (0.17 g% β-ODAP containing grass pea), Group III high toxin (0.96 g% β-ODAP containing grass pea) and Group IV high toxin (0.96 g% β-ODAP containing grass pea flour (powder) fortified with 5 mg% pure β-ODAP). The experiment was continued for 3 months. Clinical examination was carried out weekly. Muscle conduction velocity (MCV), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), blood and urinary β-ODAP, nitrite in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were performed by standard methods. Clinical examination showed neurolathyrism symptoms in three kids. The abnormal MCV and NCV were observed in all the experimental animals. Blood nitrite, blood and urine β-ODAP levels were significantly increased in experimental groups. Three kids were affected with neurolathyrism due to consumption of grass pea irrespective of its β-ODAP content and kid may serve as a neurolathyrism model. •Capra hircus kid can be big animal Neurolathyrism model on feeding of Lathyrus sativus seeds.•The development of lathyrism in kids was irrespective of β-ODAP content in grass pea.•12.5% of Capra hircus kids developed neurolathyrism.