Abstract
Two types of plant-caused photosensitizations are recognized in livestock: 1) primary, wherein the phototoxic agent in the plant is ingested and reaches the skin chemically unchanged; and 2) secondary, wherein the phototoxic agent in the porphyrin phylloerythrin produced by chlorophyll degradation in ruminant stomachs. Phylloerythrin is normally excreted in bile but is allowed to reach the skin when hepatic damage interferes with the phylloerythrin-excreting mechanism. Primary photosensitizing plant toxins are few, whereas secondary photosensitizations can be caused by damage to the liver by a variety of plant and other toxins. Plants causing each type of photosensitization are discussed and clinical manifestations of the disease in livestock are summarized. Tetradymia species are one of the most economically important causes of phototoxicity in livestock. The etiology of this phototoxic syndrome in sheep and the importance of sagebrush species as preconditioning agents for phototoxicity are discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
