Intoxicação por plantas do gênero Pteridium (Dennstaedtiaceae) em animais de produção

Abstract

The fern species Pteridium aquilinum was recently reclassified in several species of the same genus, and the occurring species in Brazil are Pteridium arachnoideum and Pteridium caudatum. Plants of the genus Pteridum contain several active compound, and the most toxicologically relevant are thiaminase, responsible for poisoning in monogastric, and ptaquiloside, carcinogen responsible for poisoning in ruminants. Farm animals consume the fern, especially its younger parts, while not palatable. Toxic effects vary depending on animal species, ingested dose and length of consumption. The clinical syndromes are cyanide poisoning, thiamin deficiency, progressive retinal degeneration, acute hemorrhagic syndrome (bleeding diathesis), enzootic bovine hematuria and upper alimentary tract neoplasms. It is important to emphasize that other ferns species apart from Pteridium genus may cause poisonings in livestock.