Failure of DL-Batyl Alcohol to Prevent Aplastic Anemia in Calves.

Abstract

When calves are fed 1/2 lb. of certain specimens of trichloroethylene-extracted soybean oil meal per day per 100 lbs. body weight, for 10 days, a blood dyscrasia develops which terminates in fatal aplastic anemia in over 90% of the cases. Death occurs in 24-35 days after the start of feeding. Changes in bone marrow and circulating blood cells are very similar to those induced in the bovine by Bracken fern, a condition which Evans et al (Biochem. J. 656P. 1957) reported to respond to therapeutic treatment with DL-batyl alcohol and antibiotics. DL-batyl alcohol was synthesized, solubilized in Tween and injected by various routes into calves starting 1 to 12 days after feeding of the toxic soybean oil meal had ceased. Treatment with batyl alcohol did not prevent development of aplastic anemia of calves or change the course of the blood dyscrasia.