J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1986. 63:525-532.
© 1986 American Society of Animal Science
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Etiology of Ammoniated Hay Toxicosis1

W. P. Weiss2, H. R. Conrad2, C. M. Martin3, R. F. Cross4 and W. L. Shockey5

The Ohio State University,6, Wooster 44691

Abstract

Some animals consuming hay treated with anhydrous ammonia have developed neurological signs including hyperexcitability, circling and convulsions. A series of experiments was conducted to identify tentatively the toxin and determine its mode of action. Three out of four sheep fed ammoniated orchardgrass hay (approximately 4% ammonia on a dry basis) developed convulsions. Two of the three sheep died within 18 h of the onset of signs. The concentrations of blood lactate and pyruvate were elevated in the symptomatic sheep (P<.05). A proposed toxin, 4-methyl imidazole, did not induce the syndrome when 750 mg/d (approximately 10 times the dietary amount) were administered orally. Four out of five calves that received milk from cows fed ammoniated oat hay (approximately 5% ammonia on dry basis) displayed hyperexcitability and circling. Concentrations of blood lactate and pyruvate were also elevated in the calves. The crude alkaloid fraction of the toxic milk produced neurological signs similar to those of the calves when injected into mice. A fluorescent compound was found in the alkaloid fraction of toxic milk and ammoniated hay, but not in control milk or untreated hay. The fluorescent compound was quite labile; hence, characterization has been unsuccessful thus far.

Footnotes

1 Salaries and research support provided by State and Federal funds appropriated to the Ohio Agr. Res. and Dev. Center, Ohio State Univ. and by the Ohio Dairy Farmers Check-off Fund. Journal Article No. 159-85.

2 Dept. of Dairy Sci.

3 Ext. Livestock Specialist.

4 Food Animal Health Program.

5 USDA-ARS, U.S. Dairy Forage Res. Center, Ohio Cluster.

6 Ohio Agr. Res. and Dev. Center.






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Copyright © 1986 by the American Society of Animal Science.