The electrocardiographical and echocardiographical alterations produced by intraruminal administration of Mascagnia rigida griseb. (Malpighiaceae) in sheep were studied. Fifteen male Santa Inês sheep were randomly allotted to three groups: G1 - animals only received water (control); G2 - animals were treated with M. rigida, 20g/kg/day, for three days; and G3 - animals were treated with M. rigida, 20g/kg/day, for seven days. All treatments were administered by an orogastric tube. M. rigida administration produced increase in heart rate during rest and exercise, and decreased in fractional ejection, and fractional shortening.
sheep; Mascagnia rigida; electrocardiogram; echocardiogram
