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Home / Equine Research Bank / Ir Vet J / Ergot alkaloid intoxication in perennial ryegrass (Lolium pe...
Irish veterinary journal2014; 67(1); 21; doi: 10.1186/2046-0481-67-21

Ergot alkaloid intoxication in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne): an emerging animal health concern in Ireland?

Abstract: Four primary mycotoxicosis have been reported in livestock caused by fungal infections of grasses or cereals by members of the Clavicipitaceae family. Ergotism (generally associated with grasses, rye, triticale and other grains) and fescue toxicosis (associated with tall fescue grass, Festuca arundinacea) are both caused by ergot alkaloids, and referred to as 'ergot alkaloid intoxication'. Ryegrass staggers (associated with perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne) is due to intoxication with an indole-diperpene, Lolitrem B, and metabolites. Fescue-associated oedema, recently described in Australia, may be associated with a pyrrolizidine alkaloid, N-acetyl norloline. Ergotism, caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, is visible and infects the outside of the plant seed. Fescue toxicosis and ryegrass staggers are caused by Neotyphodium coenophalium and N. lolii, respectively. Fescue-associated oedema has been associated with tall fescue varieties infected with a specific strain of N. coenophialum (AR542, Max P or Max Q). The name Neotyphodium refers to asexual derivatives of Epichloë spp., which have collectively been termed the epichloë fungi. These fungi exist symbiotically within the grass and are invisible to the naked eye. The primary toxicological effect of ergot alkaloid involves vasoconstriction and/or hypoprolactinaemia. Ingestion of ergot alkaloid by livestock can cause a range of effects, including poor weight gain, reduced fertility, hyperthermia, convulsions, gangrene of the extremities, and death. To date there are no published reports, either internationally or nationally, reporting ergot alkaloid intoxication specifically associated with perennial ryegrass endophytes. However, unpublished reports from the Irish Equine Centre have identified a potential emerging problem of ergot alkaloid intoxication with respect to equines and bovines, on primarily perennial ryegrass-based diets. Ergovaline has been isolated in varying concentrations in the herbage of a small number of equine and bovine farms where poor animal health and performance had been reported. Additionally, in some circumstances changes to the diet, where animals were fed primarily herbage, were sufficient to reverse adverse effects. Pending additional information, these results suggest that Irish farm advisors and veterinarians should be aware of the potential adverse role on animal health and performance of ergot alkaloids from perennial ryegrass infected with endophytic fungi.
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Publication Date: 2014-09-25 PubMed ID: 25295161PubMed Central: PMC4186922DOI: 10.1186/2046-0481-67-21Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 paper discusses a potential emerging health issue regarding animals in Ireland, specifically equines and bovines. The paper investigates the harmful effects of the ingestion of ergot alkaloids, produced by fungus infecting perennial ryegrass, on livestock health.

Background

  • The research paper focuses on four primary mycotoxicosis, diseases that result from fungal infections in livestock. These infections occur predominantly in grasses or cereals by members of the Clavicipitaceae family.
  • Among these, Ergotism and fescue toxicosis are the most common, caused by substances called ergot alkaloids and referred to as ‘ergot alkaloid intoxication’. They generally infect rye, triticale, grasses, and other grains.
  • Ryegrass staggers is a condition triggered by intoxication with substances Lolitrem B and its metabolites, found mainly in perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne.
  • Fescue-associated oedema, a condition recently observed in Australia, may be associated with a pyrrolizidine alkaloid, N-acetyl norloline.

Main Discussion

  • Ergotism is caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, which infects the outside of the plant seed and is visible. On the other hand, fescue toxicosis and ryegrass staggers result from Neotyphodium coenophalium and N. lolii, respectively, organisms that live within the grass and are invisible to the naked eye.
  • The primary toxic effect of ergot alkaloid is vasoconstriction (the constriction of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure) and/or hypoprolactinaemia (low levels of prolactin).
  • The ingestion of ergot alkaloid by livestock can have several effects, including poor weight gain, reduced fertility, hyperthermia, convulsions, gangrene of the extremities, and even death.

Findings and Implications

  • Until now, there have been no official reports linking ergot alkaloid intoxication specifically with perennial ryegrass endophytes. However, unpublished data from the Irish Equine Centre suggest a growing problem of ergot alkaloid intoxication in horses and cattle that feed primarily on perennial ryegrass-based diets.
  • Ergovaline, a toxic ergopeptine and a part of the ergot family of alkaloids, has been detected in various concentrations in the herbage of a small number of equine and bovine farms where poor animal health and poor performance had been recorded.
  • Notably, in some cases, modifications to the diet, such as feeding animals primarily herbage, were found to reverse adverse effects.
  • The study concludes by suggesting that Irish farm advisors and veterinarians should consider the possible harmful effects of ergot alkaloids from perennial ryegrass infected with endophytic fungi on animal health and performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Canty MJ, Fogarty U, Sheridan MK, Ensley SM, Schrunk DE, More SJ. (2014). Ergot alkaloid intoxication in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne): an emerging animal health concern in Ireland? Ir Vet J, 67(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-0481-67-21

Publication

Irish veterinary journal
ISSN: 0368-0762
NlmUniqueID: 0100762
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 67
Issue: 1
Pages: 21

Researcher Affiliations

Canty, Mary J
  • Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland ; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare St, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Fogarty, Ursula
  • Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Sheridan, Michael K
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare St, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Ensley, Steve M
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 2011, USA.
Schrunk, Dwayne E
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 2011, USA.
More, Simon J
  • Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.

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