Effects of the fungal endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability.
Abstract: Effects of the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in tall fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability were evaluated. Twenty-two mature pregnant mares were randomly chosen to graze either Kentucky-31 tall fescue that was free from A coenophialum (endophyte-free, EF) or tall fescue infected with A coenophialum (endophyte-present, EP) after the first 90 days of pregnancy through parturition. Concentrations of pyrrolizidine and ergopeptine alkaloids were significantly greater in EP grass, compared with EF pasture. Ten of 11 mares grazing EP pasture had obvious dystocia. Mean duration of gestation was significantly greater for the EP group, compared with the EF group. Foal survivability was severely reduced among mares grazing EP fescue with only 1 foal surviving the natal period. Udder development and lactation were low in mares grazing EP grass. The absence of clinical problems in mares grazing EF grass implicated the endophyte as the causative agent of reproductive problems and perinatal foal mortality in pregnant mares grazing endophyte-infected fescue grass. Caution should be exercised in allowing pregnant mares to graze pastures infected with the endophyte A coenophialum.
Publication Date: 1991-12-01 PubMed ID: 1789525
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explored the impact of the fungal endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum, found in fescue grass on the pregnancies and offspring of mares. The study signified that this endophyte in the grass is detrimental to the horses’ reproductive health and the survival of foals.
Research Methodology
- For this study, 22 mature pregnant mares were randomly chosen to test the effects of the endophyte. The mares were divided into two groups and allowed to graze on either endophyte-free (EF) or endophyte-present (EP) tall fescue grass.
- This grazing was done after the first 90 days of pregnancy and continued through parturition.
Findings of the Study
- The examination of grass samples revealed significantly greater concentrations of harmful alkaloids in EP grass compared to EF grass.
- Out of the mares grazing on EP pasture, 10 out of 11 experienced noticeable dystocia (difficulties in giving birth).
- The mean gestation period for the mares grazing on EP grass was significantly prolonged compared to those on EF grass.
- Severe effects were also observed on foal survivability with only one foal surviving the natal period among mares grazing on EP fescue.
Impacted Areas of Mare’s Health
- Udder development and lactation rates were found to be low in mares that grazed on EP fescue grass, further implicating the negative impact of the endophyte on the mares’ reproductive health.
Conclusion of the Study
- The absence of reproductive problems in mares grazing on EF grass suggested the endophyte as the causative agent of the observed reproductive issues and increased perinatal foal mortality.
- The alarming findings from the study urged caution against allowing pregnant mares to graze on pastures infected with the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum.
Cite This Article
APA
Putnam MR, Bransby DI, Schumacher J, Boosinger TR, Bush L, Shelby RA, Vaughan JT, Ball D, Brendemuehl JP.
(1991).
Effects of the fungal endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability.
Am J Vet Res, 52(12), 2071-2074.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849.
MeSH Terms
- Acremonium / pathogenicity
- Analysis of Variance
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Dystocia / microbiology
- Dystocia / veterinary
- Female
- Food Microbiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Lactation Disorders / microbiology
- Lactation Disorders / veterinary
- Mycoses / microbiology
- Mycoses / veterinary
- Poaceae / microbiology
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications / microbiology
- Random Allocation
Citations
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- Ferguson TD, Vanzant ES, McLeod KR. Endophyte Infected Tall Fescue: Plant Symbiosis to Animal Toxicosis. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:774287.
- Lea KM, Smith SR. Using On-Farm Monitoring of Ergovaline and Tall Fescue Composition for Horse Pasture Management. Toxins (Basel) 2021 Sep 25;13(10).
- Poole RK, Poole DH. Impact of Ergot Alkaloids on Female Reproduction in Domestic Livestock Species. Toxins (Basel) 2019 Jun 21;11(6).
- Klotz JL. Activities and Effects of Ergot Alkaloids on Livestock Physiology and Production. Toxins (Basel) 2015 Jul 27;7(8):2801-21.
- Guo J, McCulley RL, McNear DH Jr. Tall fescue cultivar and fungal endophyte combinations influence plant growth and root exudate composition. Front Plant Sci 2015;6:183.
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- Allen AL, Doige CE, Fretz PB, Townsend HG. Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland and concurrent musculoskeletal deformities in western Canadian foals: reexamination of a previously described syndrome. Can Vet J 1994 Jan;35(1):31-8.
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