Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in calves apparently caused by experimental feeding with Narthecium ossifragum

Seven calves were fed a mixture of bog plants containing 15 g (wet matter) Narthecium ossifragum per kg live weight for two consecutive days. Their serum creatinine, urea and magnesium concentrations increased, whereas the serum calcium concentration decreased. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of the 5 calves that were killed revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. There were signs of liver dysfunction in all the calves including increased aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities. All the calves refused to ingest N. ossifragum after 2 days feeding, and their appetite for hay and concentrate was also reduced. It can be concluded that N. ossifragum is nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic to calves.