Pathology of experimentally induced polybrominated biphenyl toxicosis in pregnant heifers. 1977

P D Moorhead, and L B Willett, and C J Brumm, and H D Mercer

Toxicosis was induced in pregnant Holstein-Friesian heifers by giving polybrominated biphenyls a in gelatin capsules at the rate of 25 g/day. Initially, this dosage was approximately 67 mg/kg of body weight. Clinical signs were anorexia, excessive lacrimation and salivation, diarrhea, emaciation, dehydration, depression, and abortion. Fever was not evident during the experiment. Values for serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, and bilirubin were increased. Changes in packed cell volume, hemoglobin content, total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, and differential leukocyte counts were minimal and reflected dehydration and secondary infection. The principal urine changes were decreased specific gravity and moderate proteinuria. Gross necropsy findings included dehydration; subcutaneous emphysema and hemorrhage; atrophy of the thymus; fetal death with concomitant necrosis of cotyledons; kidneys that were enlarged, pale tan to gray; thickened wall of the gallbladder; inspissated bile; edema of abomasal folds; mucoid enteritis; linear hemorrhage and edema of the rectal mucosa; and secondary pneumonia. Microscopic changes were most marked in the kidneys, gallbladder, and eyelid. In the kidney, the principal changes were extreme dilatation of collecting ducts and convoluted tubules, with epithelial degenerative changes of cloudy swelling, hydropic degeneration, and separation from the basement membrane. Common changes in the gallbladder were moderate to marked hyperplasia and cystic dilatation of the mucous glands in the lamina propria. The changes in the eyelids were characterized by hyperkeratosis, with accumulations of keratin in hair follicles of the epidermis and squamous metaplasia with keratin cysts in the tarsal glands. Clinical signs and lesions of toxicosis did not develop in heifers given the polybrominated biphenyls at the rate of 0.25 mg and 250 mg/day for 60 days. Initially these rates were approximately 0.00065 mg/kg and 0.65 mg/kg of body weight, respectively.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007668 Kidney Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations. Kidneys
D011075 Polybrominated Biphenyls Biphenyl compounds which are extensively brominated. Many of these compounds are toxic environmental pollutants. Polybromobiphenyl Compounds,Biphenyls, Polybrominated,Compounds, Polybromobiphenyl
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248 Pregnancy Complications Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases. Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002418 Cattle Diseases Diseases of domestic cattle of the genus Bos. It includes diseases of cows, yaks, and zebus. Bovine Diseases,Bovine Disease,Cattle Disease,Disease, Bovine,Disease, Cattle,Diseases, Bovine,Diseases, Cattle
D003681 Dehydration The condition that results from excessive loss of water from a living organism. Water Stress,Stress, Water
D003967 Diarrhea An increased liquidity or decreased consistency of FECES, such as running stool. Fecal consistency is related to the ratio of water-holding capacity of insoluble solids to total water, rather than the amount of water present. Diarrhea is not hyperdefecation or increased fecal weight. Diarrheas
D005260 Female Females
D005333 Fetus The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal

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