scholarly journals Gangrenous ergotism in cattle grazing fescue (Festuca elatior L.) in South Africa : clinical communication

2004 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Botha ◽  
T.W. Naude ◽  
M.L. Moroe ◽  
G.E. Rottinghaus
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Clinical Communication ◽  
Basal Leaf ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
Matter Basis

The 1st outbreak of fescue toxicosis in South Africa was recently confirmed in a Brahman herd at Perdekop, near Standerton, in Mpumalanga province, SouthAfrica.Within 3 weeks of being placed on a fescue pasture in mid-winter, 50 of 385 cattle developed lameness and / or necrosis of the tail. The farmer had established Festuca elatior L. (tall fescue, Iewag variety) on c. 140 ha for winter grazing. Fescue may be infected by an endophyte, Neotyphodium coenophialum, which produces ergot alkaloids, in particular ergovaline. Ergovaline concentrations in basal leaf sheaths and grass stems collected during the outbreak ranged from 1720-8170 ppb on a dry-matter basis.

scholarly journals Managing fescue toxicosis through forage canopy, limestone application, and novel endophytes

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sarah Kenyon
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Endophytic Fungus ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Lolium Arundinaceum ◽  
The Third ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Vegetative Canopy

Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] infected with the endophytic fungus Epichlo coenophiala [(Morgan-Jones and W. Gams) C.W. Bacon and Schardl, comb. nov.] produces ergovaline and other alkaloids responsible for fescue toxicosis, a livestock disorder. Cultivars re-infected with endophytes that do not produce toxic ergot alkaloids, referred to as "novel endophytes," have been used to alleviate the symptoms of fescue toxicosis. This research includes a series of experiments with the overall objective of identifying management practices that reduce fescue toxicosis in order to provide recommendations to Missouri farmers. The fist experiment examined the distribution of ergovaline and total ergot alkaloids throughout the vegetative canopy of tall fescue, and concluded that toxin concentrations are highest in the bottom 5 cm of the plant. The second experiment documented that applying limestone decreased ergovaline concentrations by at least 20 [mu]g kg[superscript -1] dry matter. The third experiment evaluated cattle preference among novel endophyte-infected tall fescue cultivars. This experiment concluded that one cultivar, 'BarOptima,' was grazed first and most frequently.

Changes in Cytochrome P450 in Katahdin Ewes Fed Endophyte-infected Tall Fescue Seed Diets in Spring and Fall

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 40-41
Author(s):  
Mohan Acharya ◽  
Joan M Burke ◽  
Erin Wood ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Palika Dias Morse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome P450 ◽  
Serum Concentration ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Soy Hulls

Abstract Objective was to examine the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP), a liver enzyme that metabolizes ergot alkaloids which is hindered by this fescue toxin, as an indicator of fescue toxicosis in sheep. In spring and fall, ewes were blocked by age and BW, and randomly assigned to 1 kg/ewe/d of endophyte-infected (E+; 61% of diet in fall, 13% of diet in spring; 0.8 µg/g of ergovaline; and soy hulls, alfalfa pellets, cottonseed hulls, molasses) or non-infected (E-; same proportion of E+/season and same feeds) tall fescue seed supplement (n = 10/diet in each season) for 28 d, plus hay, mineral and water. Ewes were exposed to teaser, d -21 to 0, and intact rams, d 0 (first day of diet) to 30. Rectal temperature (RT), serum concentration of prolactin (using RIA), and CYP were determined every 7–14 d between d 0–28, and pregnancy status on d 56. PromegaTM P450-Glo assay was used to determine CYP from serum. Data were analyzed by using PROC MIXED with repeated measures (SAS). Rectal temperature of E+ compared with E- ewes was elevated on at least one day in fall and spring (diet × season × d, P < 0.001). Serum prolactin was lower in E+ compared with E- ewes (diet × d, P < 0.001) and lower in fall (P < 0.001). CYP was higher in E- ewes on d 28 in fall (diet × season × d, P = 0.008), but otherwise similar between diets, and higher in fall than spring (P < 0.001). There was an unexpected negative correlation between CYP and prolactin (R = -0.24; P < 0.009), but there appears to be a subpopulation of ewes with low prolactin and lower CYP. CYP activity in sera may not be a marker for fescue toxicosis in ewes.

scholarly journals Influence of toxic enophyte-infected tall fescue on the prevalence of E. coli 0157:H7 from ruminants, a review

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 87-89
Author(s):  
M.L. Looper ◽  
T.S. Edrington ◽  
T.R. Callaway ◽  
R. Flores ◽  
G.E. Aiken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Infected Cattle ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogen Control

Ruminants consuming toxic endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue are exposed to ergot alkaloids that usually result in a malady of problems identified as fescue toxicosis. Grazing studies investigating the effects of E+ tall fescue on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 from naturally-infected cattle have not been consistent. Further, in vitro studies with selected ergot alkaloids did not affect growth of E. coli O157:H7. Dietary stressors usually associated with E+ tall fescue consumption did result in increased faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 from sheep experimentally-inoculated. Animal species, animal model (naturally vs experimentally-infected), environmental conditions, type of diet, and length of exposure to E+ tall fescue may influence the association between grazing E+ tall fescue and E. coli O157:H7 shedding. A better understanding of how E+ tall fescue influences shedding of E. coli O157:H7 from ruminants will aid in the development of management strategies for onfarm pathogen control. Keywords: cattle, E. coli O157:H7, sheep, tall fescue

scholarly journals Response of Beef Cattle Fecal Microbiota to Grazing on Toxic Tall Fescue

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan S. Mote ◽  
Nicholas S. Hill ◽  
Joseph H. Skarlupka ◽  
Zachary B. Turner ◽  
Zachary P. Sanders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Fecal Microbiota ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Forage Grass ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Production Losses

ABSTRACT Tall fescue, the predominant southeastern United States cool-season forage grass, frequently becomes infected with an ergot alkaloid-producing toxic endophyte, Epichloë coenophialum. Consumption of endophyte-infected fescue results in fescue toxicosis (FT), a condition that lowers beef cow productivity. Limited data on the influence of ergot alkaloids on rumen fermentation profiles or ruminal bacteria that could degrade the ergot alkaloids are available, but how FT influences the grazing bovine fecal microbiota or what role fecal microbiota might play in FT etiology and associated production losses has yet to be investigated. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples from weaned Angus steers grazing toxic endophyte-infected (E+; n = 6) or nontoxic (Max-Q; n = 6) tall fescue before and 1, 2, 14, and 28 days after pasture assignment. Bacteria in the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla comprised 90% of the Max-Q and E+ steer fecal microbiota throughout the trial. Early decreases in the Erysipelotrichaceae family and delayed increases of the Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae families were among the major effects of E+ grazing. E+ also increased abundances within the Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, and Proteobacteria phyla and the Clostridiaceae family. Multiple operational taxonomic units classified as Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae were correlated negatively with weight gains (lower in E+) and positively with respiration rates (increased by E+). These data provide insights into how E+ grazing alters the Angus steer microbiota and the relationship of fecal microbiota dynamics with FT. IMPORTANCE Consumption of E+ tall fescue has an estimated annual $1 billion negative impact on the U.S. beef industry, with one driver of these costs being lowered weight gains. As global agricultural demand continues to grow, mitigating production losses resulting from grazing the predominant southeastern United States forage grass is of great value. Our investigation of the effects of E+ grazing on the fecal microbiota furthers our understanding of bovine fescue toxicosis in a real-world grazing production setting and provides a starting point for identifying easy-to-access fecal bacteria that could serve as potential biomarkers of animal productivity and/or FT severity for tall fescue-grazing livestock.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Resistance to Fescue Toxicosis in Purebred Angus Cattle Utilizing Animal Performance and Cytokine Response

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Poole ◽  
Kyle J. Mayberry ◽  
McKayla Newsome ◽  
Rebecca K. Poole ◽  
Justine M Galliou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Ergot Alkaloid ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Genetic Tolerance ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
The Impact

Fescue toxicosis is a multifaceted syndrome common in cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue; however, varying symptomatic responses potentially imply genetic tolerance to the syndrome. It was hypothesized that a subpopulation of animals within a herd would develop tolerance to ergot alkaloid toxicity. Therefore, the goals of this study were to develop selection criteria to identify tolerant and susceptible animals within a herd based on animal performance, and then examine responsive phenotypic and cytokine profiles to fescue toxicosis. Angus cows grazed endophyte-infected tall fescue at two locations for 13 weeks starting in mid-April 2016. Forage measurements were collected to evaluate ergot alkaloid exposure during the study. A post hoc analysis of animal performance was utilized to designate cattle into either tolerant or susceptible groups, and weekly physiological measurements and blood samples were collected to evaluate responses to chronic exposure to endophyte-infected tall fescue. Findings from this study support the proposed fescue toxicosis selection method formulated herein, could accurately distinguish between tolerant and susceptible animals based on the performance parameters in cattle chronically exposed to ergot alkaloids, and provides evidence to warrant additional analysis to examine the impact of ergot alkaloids on immune responsiveness in cattle experiencing fescue toxicosis.

Effects of Aminocyclopyrachlor Plus Metsulfuron on Tall Fescue Yield, Forage Quality, and Ergot Alkaloid Concentration

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor D. Israel ◽  
Gary E. Bates ◽  
Thomas C. Mueller ◽  
John C. Waller ◽  
G. Neil Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Ergot Alkaloid ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fungal Endophyte ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Spring Harvest

Most tall fescue in the United States is infected with a fungal endophyte which imparts certain advantages to the plant, such as drought tolerance, insect feeding deterrence, and enhanced mineral uptake. However, the endophyte also produces ergot alkaloids that are harmful to livestock and contribute to fescue toxicosis. Because the alkaloids are concentrated in seed and stems, a potential way to reduce the likelihood of fescue toxicosis is by suppressing seedhead formation with herbicides. Research was conducted from 2012 to 2014 using metsulfuron applied alone and in combination with other herbicides in spring to determine the growth response of tall fescue, effects on forage quality, and ergot alkaloid concentration. Clipping or metsulfuron applied alone or in combination with aminocyclopyrachlor or aminopyralid reduced seedhead density by 36 to 55% compared to the nontreated control. Treatments containing metsulfuron reduced spring harvest yield 35 to 61%, but no differences were observed in the summer or year-after harvests. The same treatments increased crude protein levels by 1.03 to 2.14% and reduced acid detergent fiber levels by 1.60 to 2.76% compared to the nontreated control at spring harvest. Treatments containing metsulfuron reduced ergot alkaloid concentration 26 to 34% at the spring harvest, but no differences were observed in summer-harvested forage. Results from this study indicate metsulfuron applied alone or in combination with aminocyclopyrachlor or aminopyralid can potentially reduce the severity of fescue toxicosis and improve forage quality.

scholarly journals Assessment of vasoconstrictive capacity of tasll fescue alkaloids using fescue naive lateral saphenous veins of crossbred heifer cattle

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 383-385
Author(s):  
J.L. Klotz ◽  
B.H. Kirch ◽  
G.E. Aiken ◽  
L.P. Bush ◽  
B.C. Arrington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Lysergic Acid ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Exposure Effect ◽  
Saphenous Veins ◽  
Vascular Activity ◽  
The Individual

Vasoconstriction is one response associated with consumption of toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue. Because it is not known if endophyte-produced alkaloids act alone or collectively, the objective of this study was to examine the vasoconstrictive potentials of D-lysergic acid, ergovaline, and N-acetylloline individually or in paired combinations using bovine lateral saphenous veins biopsied from fescue naïve cattle. Segments (2- 3 cm) of vein were surgically biopsied from healthy Brahmaninfluenced yearling cattle (n=22; 330 ± 8 kg). The data indicated that ergovaline is a more potent vascular toxicant than lysergic acid and N-acetylloline. Further, the presence of N-acetylloline did not inhibit or potentiate the effects of the ergot alkaloids on vascular activity. The contractile responses of the remaining combinations did appear to differ from the individual concentration responses. This supports the possibility that a combinatorial or repetitive alkaloid exposure effect may exist in vivo and should be considered during in vitro evaluations of ergot alkaloids. Keywords: fescue-naïve cattle, fescue toxicosis, vasoconstriction

scholarly journals Discovery of novel microorganisms involved in ergot alkaloid detoxification: An approach

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 395-398
Author(s):  
S. Perumbakkam ◽  
R.M. Rattray ◽  
M.J.M. Delorme ◽  
J.M. Duringer ◽  
A.M. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Toxic Alkaloids ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Endophyte Fungi

Fescue toxicosis and ergot alkaloids are estimated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to cost the U.S. ranchers $860 million per year. The endophyte fungi Neotyphodium coenophialum is present in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). This fungus produces toxic alkaloids (principally ergovaline) that cause deleterious effects in cattle and other livestock when infected grasses are eaten. Previous studies in sheep and cattle have yielded no culturable microbes able to detoxify the ergot molecules, leading to the search for novel sources of anaerobic organisms capable of degrading ergot alkaloids. Anaerobic incubation of earthworm (Eisenea fetida) homogenate with pure ergovaline has exhibited a 60% decrease in ergovaline concentration. Digestive tracks were dissected from worms obtained from an endophyte-fed digester. Cloning and partial sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA obtained from these samples revealed a diverse microbiota, including bacteria sequences which classified into the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Planktomycetes. Future work is focused on refining our understanding of the contribution towards possible ergot alkaloids detoxification made by the bacteria of the worm-gut microbiota. Keywords: ergovaline, microbial degradation, endophyte, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, Eisenea fetida

scholarly journals PSVII-7 Effects of alkali treatment on nutrient content and ergot alkaloid concentration in tall fescue silage

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 300-300
Author(s):  
Hannah Allen ◽  
Eric Bailey ◽  
Kevin Meng
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Acid Concentration ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Ergot Alkaloid ◽  
Alkali Treatment ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Total Disappearance ◽  
Matter Basis

Abstract Addition of alkaline compounds at harvest may affect in vitro digestion and ergot alkaloid concentrations in endophyte-infected tall fescue silage. Silage (n = 60; 10 replications/treatment) was produced by filling vacuum-sealing plastic bags (35.5 cm by 27.9 cm) with 150 g of K31 tall fescue (DM basis; forage DM=76.9%; 96% endophyte infection rate) harvested in June. Alkalizing agents (CaO and NaOH) were solubilized in water (20% inclusion; wt/wt basis) and added to the forage at inclusion rates of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% on a dry matter basis. After ensiling for 42 d, forage samples were lyophilized and subsampled for proximate analysis and analysis of ergot alkaloids. A separate subsample was taken for in vitro total disappearance determination, and each sample was replicated in triplicate. Forage quality and digestibility values were calculated on an organic matter basis because organic matter linearly decreased (P < 0.01) as alkali increased. Alkali increased pH linearly (P < 0.01). Forage NDF decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as greater amounts of alkali treatment were included. Crude protein did not differ (P = 0.41) among treatments. In vitro total disappearance (OM basis) increased linearly (P < 0.01) as inclusion of alkali increased. Total ergot alkaloid concentration did not differ (P = 0.62) across treatments. Ergovaline concentration increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing alkali inclusion, but remained below established threshold for toxicity in ruminants. Lactic acid concentration responded quadratically (P < 0.01) with the lowest value corresponding to 3% alkali treatment. Acetic acid concentration increased quadratically (P < 0.01) with the highest value occurring during the 1% alkali inclusion. Propionic acid concentration increased linearly (P = 0.02) as alkali inclusion increased. A quadratic effect (P < 0.01) was observed for butyric acid concentration, with a decrease in butyrate above 1% alkali inclusion. Under conditions of this experiment, addition of alkalizing agents increased digestibility of baled tall fescue silage.

scholarly journals A review of the ergot alkaloids found in endophyte-infected tall fescue and perennial ryegrass and their metabolism after ingestion by livestock

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 377-382
Author(s):  
J.M. Duringer ◽  
M.J.M. Delorme ◽  
A. Lehner ◽  
A.M. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Mass Spectral ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Chromatographic Peaks

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) are perennial cool-season grasses which are infected with the endophytic fungi, Neotyphodium coenophialum and N. lolii, respectively. These endophytes have been increasingly selected for, as they confer benefits such as pest resistance and drought tolerance to the plant. However, livestock grazing endophyte-infected (E+) grasses are negatively impacted by fungal ergot and lolitrem alkaloids, which are responsible for a variety of mammalian diseases including fescue toxicosis (summer syndrome, fescue foot and fat necrosis) and ryegrass staggers. Most likely, not all of the ergot alkaloids involved in fescue toxicosis have been identified to date. During sample processing for the diagnostic analysis of the endophyte toxin ergovaline, other unidentified peaks occasionally elute that appear to coincide with clinical disease. Analysis of unidentified chromatographic peaks was performed on feed samples by LCMS/ MS to determine their chemical structures and identities. Ergotamine, ergovaline, ergocornine, ergonovine, ergocryptine, ergocrystine and lysergol appeared in various samples and matched controls. Newly identified compounds included ergosine, ergostine and ergoptine. In addition, several samples showed one or more of fourteen new ergots ranging in size from 381-611 mw, with key mass spectral characteristics of ergot alkaloidsspecifically, m/z 223 and 208 corresponding to the ergoline ring system and its demethylated variant, respectively. Once ingested, ergot alkaloids are thought to be metabolised in the rumen and/ or liver of livestock species. Ruminal metabolism of ergovaline was studied in sheep offered Neotyphodium coenophialuminfected tall fescue straw at two ergovaline levels (

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