[The virulence of L. leucocephala for goats in northeastern Mexico]

When fed 100% Leucaena during a period of 45 days goats with experience in L.-fodder took significantly (P less than 0.05) more dry matter (50.01 g/kg0.75) than those without or only possible experience (44.40 g/kg0.75 and 45.63 g/kg0.75). The uptake of Mimosine from animals with Mimosine experience (1.14 g/kg0.75) has also been significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than from two other groups with non or only possible experience (0.93 g/kg0.75 and 0.92 g/kg0.75). The Serum-Thyroxin level (T4) of the control group (5.12 micrograms/100 ml) and of the group with Leucaena experience (4.65 micrograms/100 ml) has been significantly higher (P less than 0.05) during the entire trial period than that of the two other trial groups (3.9 micrograms/100 ml). Hair-loss, reduced fodder uptake, increased salivation, excitation, ataxia of hind legs, vomit of fodder and uncoordinated chewing of fodder have been observed in animals without or only possible Leucaena experience. Three animals of those died through direct or indirect influence of the poisoning. Swollen buccal papillae, ulceration and necrosis of the oesophagus and haemorrhagic lesions in the reticulum and rumen have been observed in two of the dead animals.