Pathological and toxicological studies of calves fed a high concentration cotton seed meal diet

Feeding a high concentration of cotton seed meal to young calves resulted in death with lesions compatible with gossypol toxicity. Calves were fed two different commercially prepared rations. Free gossypol concentrations in different lots of the 17% protein ration varied from 250 to 380 ppm, and the 13% protein ration varied from 40 to 240 ppm. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase elevation was the most consistent clinical pathological finding. The mean serum sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations for moribund, hospitalized, and clinically healthy calves were 277, 34, and 45 units/liter. The mean for sorbitol dehydrogenase concentration for healthy calves not fed cotton seed meal was 18 units/liter. Gross lesions included severe effusion of a high protein content fluid into the body cavities of most calves, edema of the mesentery, and hepatomegaly. The most consistent histological lesion was severe centrilobular hepatic necrosis. Elevated levels of liver gossypol were demonstrated. The mean liver gossypol concentration for three calves was 41.7 micrograms/g on a wet weight basis.