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Intoxication by non-protein nitrogen compounds in rat feed.
A M Evangelista de Duffard1, A Bortolozzi, M C Olguin
1Experimental Toxicology Laboratory, School of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Suipacha, Argentine Republic.
Drug and Chemical Toxicology
|May 11, 1999
Summary
High ammonia and urea in lab rat feed caused intoxication, leading to physiological changes and death in 70% of animals. Rat behavior changes were the earliest indicator of this foodborne ammonia exposure.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Animal Science
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Laboratory animal feed contamination can lead to severe health issues.
- Acute intoxication in Wistar rats was observed following consumption of a new feed batch.
- Elevated urea and ammonia levels in feed were suspected as the cause.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of high ammonia and urea in laboratory rat feed.
- To determine the physiological and neurochemical changes associated with ammonia intoxication.
- To identify potential biomarkers for early detection of feed-borne intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of feed for urea and ammonia content.
- Quantification of ammonia and urea in blood, brain, and liver of exposed rats.
- Measurement of neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin) and blood tryptophan.
- Histological examination of liver tissue and analysis of blood lipids and cholesterol.
Main Results:
- Contaminated feed contained significantly higher urea (260 mg/kg) and ammonia (540 mg/kg) compared to control feed.
- Exposed rats showed markedly increased blood, liver, and brain ammonia and urea levels.
- Significant alterations in blood and brain serotonin and dopamine levels were observed.
- Liver histology revealed steatosis, and elevated triacylglycerides in females.
Conclusions:
- Food-borne intoxication due to feed contamination with ammonia and urea can cause acute physiological and behavioral changes, including high mortality.
- Exhaustive analysis of feed for unusual compounds is crucial to prevent such incidents.
- Behavioral changes in rats can serve as an early biomarker for ammonia exposure.