Nitrate

Question 1

What factors favor plant nitrate accumulation?

Answer 1

Plant species
Content and form of nitrogen in soil
Soil conditions
Decreased light
Phenoxy acetic acid herbicides

Question 2

What plant species have more nitrate accumulation?

Answer 2

Sweet clover
Alfalfa
Wheat
Corn

Question 3

What soil conditions enhance nitrate uptake?

Answer 3

Rain/moisture
Acid said (low pH)
Low soil molybdenum
low Sulfur
low Phosphorus 
Low soil temp
soil aeration and drought

Question 4

What does decrease light cause to increase nitrate accumulation in plants?

Answer 4

decreases nitrate reductase

Question 5

What part of the plant has more nitrate accumulation?

Answer 5

Stalk > Leaves > seeds/flower

Question 6

Do younger or older plants contain more nitrate?

Answer 6

Young plants

Question 7

What other plants accumulate nitrate?

Answer 7

Pigweed
Oats
Beets
johnson grass, sudan grass, milo
Corn, maize
Lambs quarters
Sweet clover
Alfalfa
Wheat
Sunflower

Question 8

What is sodium nitrite IV used for?

Answer 8

vasodilator

Question 9

T/F. Nitrates are insoluble in water

Answer 9

False - they are soluble in water

Question 10

T/F. Nitrate fertilizers are salty

Answer 10

True - makes them yummy!

Question 11

How is nitrate converted to nitrite?

Answer 11

by nitrate reductase (microflora)

Question 12

What is the LD50 for ruminants of nitrate?

Answer 12

0.5-1 g/kg

Question 13

What species are most susceptible to nitrate poisoning?

Answer 13

Ruminants (rumen microflora)

Question 14

What are horses very sensitive when it comes to nitrates?

Answer 14

IV nitrite

Question 15

What species are resistant to nitrate?

Answer 15

Pigs

Question 16

T/F. nitrate is more toxic than nitrite?

Answer 16

False - nitrite is 10x more toxic than nitrate

Question 17

T/F. Adult animals are more susceptible to nitrate toxicity

Answer 17

False - young animals are

Question 18

What disease state increases nitrate toxicity?

Answer 18

Anemia and methemoglobinemia

Question 19

Nitrate is reduced by the rumen microflora to nitrite, which is converted to _______, which is converted to amino acids and microbial proteins

Answer 19

ammonia

Question 20

The rate of conversion of nitrite to ammonia is _____ than the rate of conversion of nitrate to nitrite in ruminants

Answer 20

slower

Question 21

What does the slower conversion of nitrate to ammonia in ruminants lead to?

Answer 21

rapid absorption and conversion of hemoglobin to methemoglobin

Question 22

Death from anoxia (due to nitrate toxicity) occurs when methemoglobin reaches _____

Answer 22

80-90%

Question 23

T/F. nitrate toxicity leads to direct vasoconstriction and hypertension

Answer 23

False, vasodilation and hypotension

Question 24

What clinical signs will you see with nitrate toxicity?

Answer 24

Sudden death
Rapid breathing, restlessness, apprehension, dyspnea, weaknees, ataxia, sternal recumbency, cyanosis, terminal convulsions, abortion

Question 25

What is the specimen of choice to diagnose for nitrate in animals that have died for several hours?

Answer 25

Ocular fluid

Question 26

What test could you do to see if animals have been intoxicated with nitrate?

Answer 26

Diphenylamine test

Question 27

How would you treat nitrate toxicity?

Answer 27

Methylene blue 1% IV for ruminants and monogastrics except cats as a reducing agent
Activated charcoal
Ruminal lavage with cold water, antibiotics to inhibit rumen microflora and nitrate reductase