Effects of the fungal endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability.

Autor: Putnam MR; Department of Large Animal Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849., Bransby DI, Schumacher J, Boosinger TR, Bush L, Shelby RA, Vaughan JT, Ball D, Brendemuehl JP
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: American journal of veterinary research [Am J Vet Res] 1991 Dec; Vol. 52 (12), pp. 2071-4.
Abstrakt: 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.
Databáze: MEDLINE