Alterations in bovine serum biochemistry profiles associated with prolonged consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue.
Abstract: Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a forage grass that is widely used in pastures in the eastern US for cattle, sheep and horses. The endophytic fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum is endemic in tall fescue pastures in the US. The turfgrass industry intentionally infects fescue cultivars with strains of the fungus to impart desirable growth and disease tolerance qualities to the plants. In contrast, ergot and pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxins produced by fungus-infected plants have been incriminated causally in bovine tall fescue toxicosis, a poorly defined syndrome of morbidity that occurs in cattle that consume endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+TF). We compared the serum biochemistry profiles from cattle that grazed E+TF with those from control cattle that grazed on endophyte-free tall fescue (E-TF). Cattle were bled on 7 dates from April 1 to August 30, 1996 and on 5 dates from May 1 to July 30, 1997. Cattle that grazed E+TF retained rough winter haircoats and had lesser weight gains, typical of tall fescue toxicosis, compared to those grazing E-TF. They had decreased activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. Compared to controls, they had lower values for serum prolactin and globulin concentrations. The concentration of creatinine and the albumin/globulin ratio were increased in the cattle grazing E+TF. Isozyme determination of alkaline phosphatase indicated that the decrease in serum activity of cattle grazing E+TF was due to decreases in both intestinal and bone isozymes. Serum protein electrophoresis indicated that the decrease in serum globulin concentration was due to decreases in both alpha and gamma globulin fractions of this protein. The data collected in these experiments add to our understanding of the alterations that occur in the serum chemistry profiles when cattle consume E+TF for prolonged periods of time.
Publication Date: 1999-06-01 PubMed ID: 10349700
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper investigates the changes in serum chemistry of cows consuming a type of grass infected with a certain fungus, affecting their health and growth. It detailed the differences observed compared to cows grazing on fungus-free grass.
Research Context
- The grass, known as ‘Tall Fescue’ (Festuca arundinacea), is consumed widely as forage by ruminants in eastern parts of the US. A strain of fungus, Neotyphodium coenophialum, found in these pastures, infects the tall fescue.
- While the fungus provides beneficial traits such as increased growth and disease resistance to the grass, it can produce harmful toxins (ergot and pyrrolizidine alkaloid) affecting animals that ingest these infected plants.
- The ensuing health syndrome in cattle is referred to as ‘tall fescue toxicosis’, which is yet to be comprehensively defined.
Research Method
- The researchers compared serum biochemistry profiles between two groups of cows—one consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+TF) and the other grazing on fungus-free grass (E-TF).
- They collected blood samples multiple times from two separate time periods: seven times from April to August 1996; and five times from May to July 1997.
Key Findings
- Cattle consuming E+TF showed signs consistent with tall fescue toxicosis—they retained their winter haircoats longer and showed less weight gain than those grazing on E-TF.
- E+TF-intake led to decreased levels of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase—two enzymes involved in liver function and bone development.
- They exhibited lower levels of serum prolactin and globulin; hormones related to lactation and immune function respectively.
- However, these cows indicated an increased concentration of creatinine, a waste product filtered by kidneys, and a higher albumin to globulin ratio – signifying abnormal protein balance.
- Further analysis attributed the reduced alkaline phosphatase activity to decreases in both intestinal and bone isozymes.
- The reduced concentration of globulin proteins resulted from decreases in alpha and gamma globulin fractions.
Significance of Research
- The study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the physiological changes in cows caused by the consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue.
- The observed serum alterations could help define the syndrome ‘tall fescue toxicosis’ and provide a foundation for future preventive efforts.
Cite This Article
APA
Schultze AE, Rohrbach BW, Fribourg HA, Waller JC, Oliver JW.
(1999).
Alterations in bovine serum biochemistry profiles associated with prolonged consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue.
Vet Hum Toxicol, 41(3), 133-139.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
- Animal Feed / microbiology
- Animals
- Blood Proteins / metabolism
- Body Weight / drug effects
- Cattle / blood
- Fungi
- Isoenzymes / blood
- Male
- Plant Diseases / microbiology
- Prolactin / blood
- Serum Albumin / analysis
- Serum Globulins / analysis
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Webb KL, Trotta RJ, Jia Y, Bridges PJ, Matthews JC. Influence of form of selenium supplementation and tall fescue endophyte toxicity on growth performance, serum parameters, and tissue masses of grazing beef steers. Transl Anim Sci 2022 Oct;6(4):txac122.
- Jia Y, Son K, Burris WR, Bridges PJ, Matthews JC. Forms of selenium in vitamin-mineral mixes differentially affect serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and serum albumin and blood urea nitrogen concentrations, of steers grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue. J Anim Sci 2019 May 30;97(6):2569-2582.
- Jackson JJ, Lindemann MD, Boling JA, Matthews JC. Summer-Long Grazing of High vs. Low Endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum)-Infected Tall Fescue by Growing Beef Steers Results in Distinct Temporal Blood Analyte Response Patterns, with Poor Correlation to Serum Prolactin Levels. Front Vet Sci 2015;2:77.
- Schumann B, Lebzien P, Ueberschär KH, Spilke J, Höltershinken M, Dänicke S. Effects of the level of feed intake and ergot contaminated concentrate on ruminal fermentation and on physiological parameters in cows. Mycotoxin Res 2008 Jun;24(2):57-72.
- Fayrer-Hosken R, Stanley A, Hill N, Heusner G, Christian M, De La Fuente R, Baumann C, Jones L. Effect of feeding fescue seed containing ergot alkaloid toxins on stallion spermatogenesis and sperm cells. Reprod Domest Anim 2012 Dec;47(6):1017-26.
- Sarich JM, Stanford K, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, McAllister TA, Blakley BR, Penner GB, Ribeiro GO. Effect of increasing concentration of ergot alkaloids in the diet of feedlot cattle: performance, welfare, and health parameters. J Anim Sci 2023 Jan 3;101.
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