Experimental acute inorganic boron toxicosis in the goat: effects on serum chemistry and CSF biogenic amines.

Abstract

Following acute accidental death of 26 cows exposed to boron fertilizer, effects of inorganic boron treatment in goats were studied. Goats were orally dosed with toxic but sublethal amounts of the fertilizer. Multiple hematologic and serum chemistry parameters were assessed, as were cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurotransmitters and some of their metabolites. Significant increases in packed cell volume, hemoglobin, inorganic phosphate, creatine phosphokinase, conjugated bilirubin, sodium, glucose, cholesterol, and aspartate transaminase were recorded. The following serum components were significantly decreased after boron dosing: alkaline phosphatase, magnesium, glutamyltransferase and potassium. There was evidence of a stimulatory effect on both serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons as reflected in elevated CSF monoamine metabolites. Aberrations in clinical behavior, including seizure-like activity, also suggested a central nervous system effect of inorganic boron.