The effects of four levels of endophyte-infected fescue seed in the diet of pregnant pony mares.

The research article examines the effects of varying levels of endophyte-infected fescue seed fed to pregnant pony mares on the weight and molecular components of their placentas as well as the health of their foals. The higher the percentage of fescue seed in the diet, the heavier the placenta and the higher the concentration of dry fat-free tissue, DNA, RNA, and collagen.

Exploring the Effects of Fescue Seed Consumption

• This scientific study measures the impact of endophyte-infected fescue seed in the diets of pregnant pony mares. The focus of the experiment was the Quarter Horse breed specifically, and readings were taken from a sample size of 20 animals.
• The parameters studied in the placentas included the wet weight, mean dry fat-free tissue, DNA, RNA, and collagen concentrations. These metrics were analyzed in relation to the length of gestation and the level of fungus-infected fescue in the diet.
• The study documented a decrease in these four variables as the gestation period increased for both ponies and Quarter Horses. This suggested a correlation between the gestation period and placental metrics.

Linking Diet and Placenta Development

• The research further analyzed the effect of different proportions of fescue seed in the diet on placental development. These levels ranged from no fescue seed to a high level of 45%.
• A trend was noted where the weight of dry fat-free tissue rose with the increased inclusion of fescue seed in the diet. Thus, feeding mares a diet containing fescue seed resulted in heavier placentas with higher concentrations of dry fat-free tissue, DNA, RNA, and collagen compared to mares fed a fescue-free diet.

Fescue Seed Consumption and Foal Health

• The article also discussed the effect of fescue seed consumption on foal health. It found that when mares were fed a diet containing 45% fescue seed, three out of five foals born exhibited abnormalities. Two of these died and one survived only after being saved from suffocation in the placenta.
• The research concluded that diets with lower levels of fescue seed (15% or 30%) did not seem to produce any apparent toxic effects on the foals. This suggests that the concentration of fescue seed in the diet of pregnant mares could have a direct impact on placental development and the health outcomes of foals.