Phytotoxins Eliminated by Milk: A Review

The review discussed how milk, while not typically a major route for toxin excretion, could carry hazardous phytotoxins that pose risks to animals and humans through chronic exposure. Notable phytotoxins eliminated by milk included indolizidine alkaloids, piperidine alkaloids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, quinolizidine alkaloids, glucosinolates, tremetol, sodium monofluoracetate, ptaquiloside, and indole diterpenes. These toxins were linked to various health issues such as oligosaccharide storage disease, acute poisoning, hepatic lesions, skeletal defects, thyroid changes, tremors, milk sickness, death in young animals, carcinogenesis, and tremors in suckling pups. Chrysocoma ciliata was noted to cause alopecia in suckling pups, though its toxic compound remained unidentified. The review emphasized the importance of understanding and disseminating information about these risks for both veterinary and human health.