Acrylamide and N-methylolacrylamide poisoning in a herd of Charolais crossbreed cattle.

Abstract

Seven beef cattle from a herd accidentally exposed to acrylamide and N-methylolacrylamide while grazing were observed for eight months. They showed clinical signs of impaired nerve function, mainly in the hindlegs, with varying degrees of weakness and ataxia. The animals were irritable, nervous and hypersensitive to touch. Both pupils of the most badly affected animal were dilated and it had poor pupillary light responses; it also showed signs of axonal neuropathy. Selected haematological and clinical chemistry variables were normal. The severity of the neurological signs was correlated with the concentrations of haemoglobin adducts of acrylamides. The animals recovered substantially after their exposure. The gestations of four of the animals which were in calf proceeded normally.

• Authors: A C Godin, B Bengtsson, R Niskanen, E Tareke, M Törnqvist, K Forslund
• Journal: The Veterinary record (Vet Rec) Vol. 151 Issue 24 Pg. 724-8 (Dec 14 2002) ISSN: 0042-4900 [Print] England
• PMID: 12510666 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Acrylamides
• Hemoglobins
• Acrylamide
• N-methylolacrylamide

Topics

• Acrylamide (poisoning)
• Acrylamides (poisoning)
• Animals
• Ataxia (chemically induced, veterinary)
• Cattle
• Cattle Diseases (chemically induced)
• Female
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Lactation (drug effects)
• Lameness, Animal (chemically induced)
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (chemically induced, veterinary)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy, Animal (drug effects)