[Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and seneciosis in farm animals. Part 1: occurrence, chemistry and toxicology].

The research article explores the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (phytotoxins) in more than 6000 plant species, and their severe poisoning effects on farm animals, specifically in relation to Senecio plants. The study also addresses the worldwide concern of these toxins and their potentially fatal impacts, including their links to liver cirrhosis and their mutagenic, carcinogenic properties.

Occurrence and Chemistry of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are phytotoxins found in over 6000 plant species, notably in the genus Senecio, which includes species such as Senecio jacobaea.
• These alkaloids are identified as the primary cause of seneciosis disease in farm animals, which is a severe form of poisoning.
• Seneciosis has been recognized in various countries since the end of the 19th century, including Germany, the USA, Canada, and New Zealand, and affects a range of farm animals, including poultry.

Toxicology of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Animal Intoxication

• The poisoning from Pyrrolizidine alkaloids is of international importance due to its widespread occurrence and severe impact on farm animals.
• These toxins ultimately lead to the creation of harmful metabolites in the liver, binding covalently to nucleic acids and proteins causing cirrhosis and often ending fatally.
• Some Pyrrolizidine alkaloids also possess mutagenic properties, with a few even exhibit carcinogenic attributes, leading to growing concerns about potential residue levels in animal-derived foods.

Clinical Characteristics and Therapeutic Interventions

• The second part of the review discusses clinical characteristics of animal seneciosis and therapeutic interventions for treatment.
• The research also investigates the species differences in responses to the toxins, the potential for fatal doses resulting from supposed non-toxic amounts of Senecio plants in animal feed, and critique the common practices around these levels in livestock management.