Lectin histochemical study of lipopigments present in the cerebellum of Solanum fastigiatum var. fastigiatum intoxicated cattle

This study was carried out to investigate the pattern of lectin binding in the cerebellum of calves poisoned with Solanum fastigiatum var. fastigiatum. For the experimental reproduction of the illness, S. fastigiatum var. fastigiatum was collected from farms where the intoxication occurs. The dried ground plant was administered to two 1-year-old cattle by ruminal cannula. The animals received 5 g/kg b.w. daily, 5 days week, during periods of 107 and 140 days. After these periods the animals were bled to death. For the histological study, transverse sections of the cerebellum were used. Paraffin-embedded sections were incubated with the following biotinylated lectins with different specificity: Concanavalia ensiformis (Con-A), Glycine max (SBA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Ulex europeus-I (UEA-I), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), succynyl-WGA (sWGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Ricinus communis-I (RCA-I) and Bandeirea simplicifolia-I (BS-I). Avidin biotin peroxidase complex was applied as detection system. Purkinje cells showed vacuolation in the pericaryon. The stored material present in the cells reacted strongly with the following lectins: Con-A, sWGA, WGA and RCA-I. An irregular affinity was observed with PNA and DBA. The lectin-binding pattern was compatible with glycolipid storage disease.