Intoxicações por frutos em ruminantes no Brasil e análises da ingestão de pseudofrutos de Anacardium occidentale em vacas em lactação.

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the changes caused by the ingestion of pseudofruits of Anacardium occidentale, popularly known as cashew, in lactating cows. The study was divided into two chapters that addressed the main fruits and pseudo-fruits that affect sheep, goats and cattle, in addition to an experiment carried out with cashew pseudo-fruits in cows during lactation. In the first chapter, a systematic literature review was carried out on cases of fruit poisoning in ruminants in Brazil. In this, research was carried out in Science of Direct, Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science and VHL Regional Portal databases, using the keywords: “poisoning or poison” and “toxicity or toxic” and “fruits or snitch” and “cattle or sheep or goats” and “Brazil.” Studies were selected in English and Portuguese, but developed in Brazil. In conclusion, it is noted that this line of study has grown in recent years and, given this, the need for further research becomes eminent to better elucidate the mechanisms of fruit poisoning, since there is a shortage of confirmatory data to prove the toxic effects on different species. In the second chapter, an experiment was developed in which Anacardium occidentale apples were administered to lactating cows with weekly concentrations of 5mg/kg, 10mg/kg and 15 mg/kg respectively, for four weeks. In this experiment, hematological and biochemical tests and analysis of ruminal fluid and milk were carried out. There was a decrease in platelets and rumen pH; while there was an increase in total solids. Sensorially, the milk showed rapid coagulation, making it unsuitable for fresh consumption. It was noted that the concentrations used did not develop clinical signs of intoxication. It is concluded, then, that there is still much to be elucidated regarding fruit poisoning and that there is a need for better clarification in several published reports from livestock farmers. However, the findings must be considered in terms of knowledge about the toxic effects of Anacardium occidentale pseudofruits.