Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Pirolizidinski alkaloidi
2010
Jakovac-Strajn, B., Ljubljana Univ. (Slovenia).Vet. fac. | Mohorko, M. | Vengust, A. | Ujcic Vrhovnik, I.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary plant metabolites produced by a number of plants from the Compositae (Asteraceae), Boraginaceae and Leguminosae (Fabaceae) families. Many of these alkaloids have been shown to be highly toxic, causing hepatic veno-occlusive disease, liver cirrhosis and ultimately death. It is assumed that PAs are among the most widely distributed natural toxins affecting wildlife and livestock. In farm animal, however, acute intoxications caused by PAs are rare, as animals avoid PA containing plants if other feed is available. However, this recognition fails in preserved forages such as silage and hay. Among livestock, pigs, cattle and horses are especially susceptible to the toxic effects of the PAs. Humans may also be at risk by the consumption of milk of livestock fed with PA-contaminated forage. Honey deserves special attention, because PA residues are regularly found in it. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently published a scientific opinion on the presence of PAs as undesirable substance in animal feed. Important conclusions of the EFSA report are that analytical methods for the detection and quantification of PAs in animal feed are largely lacking as well as the availability of the monitoring and survey data. In Slovenia, where very little is known about PAs, records show that two horses suddenly succumbed to toxicosis caused by PAs three years ago.
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