Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
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 The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
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
This article has been cited 9 times.- Bhunjun CS, Chen YJ, Phukhamsakda C, Boekhout T, Groenewald JZ, McKenzie EHC, Francisco EC, Frisvad JC, Groenewald M, Hurdeal VG, Luangsa-Ard J, Perrone G, Visagie CM, Bai FY, Błaszkowski J, Braun U, de Souza FA, de Queiroz MB, Dutta AK, Gonkhom D, Goto BT, Guarnaccia V, Hagen F, Houbraken J, Lachance MA, Li JJ, Luo KY, Magurno F, Mongkolsamrit S, Robert V, Roy N, Tibpromma S, Wanasinghe DN, Wang DQ, Wei DP, Zhao CL, Aiphuk W, Ajayi-Oyetunde O, Arantes TD, Araujo JC, Begerow D, Bakhshi M, Barbosa RN, Behrens FH, Bensch K, Bezerra JDP, Bilański P, Bradley CA, Bubner B, Burgess TI, Buyck B, Čadež N, Cai L, Calaça FJS, Campbell LJ, Chaverri P, Chen YY, Chethana KWT, Coetzee B, Costa MM, Chen Q, Custódio FA, Dai YC, Damm U, Santiago ALCMA, De Miccolis Angelini RM, Dijksterhuis J, Dissanayake AJ, Doilom M, Dong W, Álvarez-Duarte E, Fischer M, Gajanayake AJ, Gené J, Gomdola D, Gomes AAM, Hausner G, He MQ, Hou L, Iturrieta-González I, Jami F, Jankowiak R, Jayawardena RS, Kandemir H, Kiss L, Kobmoo N, Kowalski T, Landi L, Lin CG, Liu JK, Liu XB, Loizides M, Luangharn T, Maharachchikumbura SSN, Mkhwanazi GJM, Manawasinghe IS, Marin-Felix Y, McTaggart AR, Moreau PA, Morozova OV, Mostert L, Osiewacz HD, Pem D, Phookamsak R, Pollastro S, Pordel A, Poyntner C, Phillips AJL, Phonemany M, Promputtha I, Rathnayaka AR, Rodrigues AM, Romanazzi G, Rothmann L, Salgado-Salazar C, Sandoval-Denis M, Saupe SJ, Scholler M, Scott P, Shivas RG, Silar P, Silva-Filho AGS, Souza-Motta CM, Spies CFJ, Stchigel AM, Sterflinger K, Summerbell RC, Svetasheva TY, Takamatsu S, Theelen B, Theodoro RC, Thines M, Thongklang N, Torres R, Turchetti B, van den Brule T, Wang XW, Wartchow F, Welti S, Wijesinghe SN, Wu F, Xu R, Yang ZL, Yilmaz N, Yurkov A, Zhao L, Zhao RL, Zhou N, Hyde KD, Crous PW. What are the 100 most cited fungal genera?. Stud Mycol 2024 Jul;108:1-411.
- 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.
- Lea K, Smith L, Gaskill C, Coleman R, Smith SR. Ergovaline stability in tall fescue based on sample handling and storage methods. Front Chem 2014;2:76.
- Duckett SK, Andrae JG, Pratt SL. Exposure to ergot alkaloids during gestation reduces fetal growth in sheep. Front Chem 2014;2:68.
- 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.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
