Effects of Jatropha curcas on calves

Jatropha curcas seed was fed to six calves at doses of 2.5, 1 and 0.25 g/kg once and to two other calves at 0.025 g/kg up to 14 days. The onset of toxic manifestations in the six calves was rapid and death occurred within 19 hours of administration. The two calves that received daily the lowest dose of J. curcas showed signs of poisoning and died within 10 to 14 days. The clinical signs of diarrhoea, dyspnoea, dehydration and loss of condition were well correlated with the pathological findings. There was an increase in aspartate aminotransferase, ammonia and potassium and a decrease in total protein and calcium in the serum of jatropha-poisoned calves.