The protective effect of zinc sulphate in experimental sporidesmin intoxication of lactating dairy cows

Authors: Towers NR, Smith BL
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 26, Issue 8, pp 199-202, Aug 1978
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Inflammation, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Disease/defect, Mycotoxicosis, Liver/hepatic disease, Fungal/yeast, Photosensitivity, Toxicology, Treatment/therapy, Trace elements, Minerals/elememts
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Zinc sulphate solution, administered concurrently with the mycotoxin sporidesmin, gave significant protection against the toxin. The protective effect was shown in maintained milk production and bodyweights, and in reduced liver damage as determined by serum enzyme (gamma-glutamyltransferase, ornithine carbamyltransferase) analysis and by subjective grading of the liver damage after slaughter. There was no overt facial eczema in either group but, in sporidesmin dosed cows not receiving zinc sulphate, there was a fall in milk yield and in bodyweight. Serum enzyme levels did not rise until more than a week after dosing at which time milk yields were showing partial recovery. Serum concentrations of the enzyme gamma-glutamyltransferase (EC 2.3.2.2) were found to be correlated to the severity of the liver damage observed at post-mortem.

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