Urease Toxicity in Growing Swine

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Abstract
Three trials were conducted to determine the effects of large intraperitoneal injections of jackbean urease upon growing swine and its relationship to ammonia toxicity. Plasma urea N levels were significantly decreased and plasma ammonia N levels were significantly increased following injections of urease (50, 75 and 100 modified SU/lb. BW). Serum urease activity and potassium levels were increased, and serum sodium levels were unchanged in pigs given a large dose of urease. The urine ammonia N concentration was increased and the urine urea N concentration was unchanged when pigs were injected with urease. There was an elevation of rectal temperature of treated pigs in Trials I and II with no change in Trial III. Pigs in Trials I and II showed tetany, while those in Trial III did not. Post-mortem examination revealed excess fluid in the peritoneal and pericardial cavities, congested and hemorrhagic lungs, and hyperemic mucous membranes. Effects of urease and hemagglutinin were confounded in Trial III, and this could explain the difference in results obtained as compared to Trials I and II. Copyright © 1965. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1965 by American Society of Animal Science