Chronic ovine hepatosis following feeding of Macrozamia reidlei nuts

Abstract

The chronic liver disease caused by the nuts of Macrozamia reidlei was studied experimentally in sheep given up to 4 kg over a period of 1-11 months. Similar degrees of liver damage were produced by this amount of powdered nut whether consumed in 3 or in 11 months. The liver pathology was similar in some respects to that caused by toxic lupins where a direct relationship to copper concentration in the liver has been established. The botanical and ecological aspects of M. reidlei in relation to other plants of the order Cycadales are considered.