Ectopic calcification in lambs from feeding the plant Cestrum diurnum. 1979

C F Simpson, and M L Bruss

Hypercalcemia and ectopic calcification were induced in 5 lambs by supplementing the diet with the dried leaves of the plant Cestrum diurnum, for 8 to 9 weeks. Lambs developed mineralization of blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and lungs. These tissues were examined by light and electron microscopy. In the vascular tissue there was calcification of elastic fibers in the hyperplastic intima and the media, along with mineralization of mitochondria of aortic smooth muscle cells. Myocardial cells and their mitochondria were mineralized. In the kidney, there was calcification of the epithelium of the distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules, Bowman's capsule, and the mesangial cells of the glomeruli. In the lung, there was mineralization of the alveolar septal walls and the bronchi and bronchioles. Feeding of the calcinogenic plant to lambs caused extensive soft tissue calcification. Results of the study indicated that degeneration was the early soft tissue lesion in this plant toxicity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009336 Necrosis The death of cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury or failure of the blood supply.
D010947 Plants, Toxic Plants or plant parts which are harmful to man or other animals. Plants, Poisonous,Plant, Poisonous,Plant, Toxic,Poisonous Plant,Poisonous Plants,Toxic Plant,Toxic Plants
D002114 Calcinosis Pathologic deposition of calcium salts in tissues. Calcification, Pathologic,Calcinosis, Tumoral,Microcalcification,Microcalcinosis,Pathologic Calcification,Calcinoses,Calcinoses, Tumoral,Microcalcifications,Microcalcinoses,Tumoral Calcinoses,Tumoral Calcinosis
D006934 Hypercalcemia Abnormally high level of calcium in the blood. Milk-Alkali Syndrome,Hypercalcemias,Milk Alkali Syndrome,Syndrome, Milk-Alkali
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012756 Sheep Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS. Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D012757 Sheep Diseases Diseases of domestic and mountain sheep of the genus Ovis. Ovine Diseases,Disease, Ovine,Disease, Sheep,Diseases, Ovine,Diseases, Sheep,Ovine Disease,Sheep Disease

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