Poisoning of sheep by Astragalus lusitanicus in Morocco: field and experimental studies.

This study demonstrated that Astragalus lusitanicus found in Morocco is toxic to sheep. The clinical syndrome shares some features with locoism. Poisoning may be either acute or chronic, depending on the total amount of the plant that has been ingested. Neurological disturbance was the main clinical manifestation of the syndrome. The signs persisted in poisoned animals after cessation of plant consumption. This suggests the occurrence of a persistent biochemical defect in the neuron. The relationship between vacuolation in neurons and the onset of the signs needs to be clarified. Future biochemical and electron microscopic studies should advance the knowledge of the pathogenesis of this toxic neuronal degeneration.