Resistance of the rabbit to dietary pyrrolizidine (Senecio) alkaloid

Rabbits were fed Senecio jacobaea for 263 days. Total intake of the plant averaged 112.5% of initial body weight. No gross lesions, or changes in serum protein and albumin occurred. Microscopic changes in liver tissue were seen. Two rabbits injected with 150 mg Senecio pyrrolizidine alkaloid/kg body weight died in less than 24 hours. The resistance of the rabbit to chronic Senecio intoxication, but not to injected alkaloid, suggests that alkaloid absorption may be low in this species.