Pathology of Locoweed Poisoning in Sheep

Abstract

Three locoweeds, Oxytropis sericea, Astragalus pubentissimus, and A. lentigimosus were fed experimentally to yearling wethers for 60 days. Clinical signs were central nervous impairment resulting in diminished control or loss of motor function and proprioception. Cytoplasmic vacuolar degeneration was a constant finding in the neurons of the central nervous system, and of the plexuses of Auerbach and Miessner. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were also present in reticuloendothelial cells, liver, kidney, and other parenchymatous organs. The contents of the vacuoles was not determined.