[Pyrogallol concentrations in rumen content, liver and kidney of cows at pasture]

Pyrogallol (1, 2, 3-trihydroxybenzene), the decomposition product of hydrolysable tannins in oak bark, leaves and acorns, is suspected to be poisonous to animals. The aim of our investigations was to correlate clinical signs and pathological findings with pyrogallol concentrations in organs of poisoned and healthy animals. In a field study, pyrogallol concentrations were determined in liver, kidney, and rumen from seven cattle. In a herd of twelve cows, five animals suffered from hemorrhagic diarrhea, anorexia, weakness, rumen stasis, dyspnoea, and colic symptoms. Death was observed in five cows within five weeks after repeated intake of green acorns and oak leaves. Toxicological analyses of rumen content, liver, and kidney specimens of one cattle confirmed the suspicion of pyrogallol contamination. In this animal, values ranged from 6 to 13 ng pyrogallol per gram specimen. In control cattle, concentrations were clearly lower than in perished cattle. Under antioxidative work-up conditions, detection limit was 0.6 ng/g in rumen content and 1.0 ng/g in liver and kidney, respectively.