| Autor: |
Britt JL; Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA., Greene MA; Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA., Wilbanks SA; Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA., Bertrand JK; Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA., Klotz JL; USDA-ARS, Forage Production Research Unit, Lexington, KY 40546, USA., Bridges W Jr; Department of Mathematical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA., Aiken G; North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL 32351, USA., Andrae JG; Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA., Duckett SK; Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) produces ergovaline and ergovalinine, which are mycotoxins that act as dopamine agonists to suppress prolactin and induce vasoconstriction. The experiment was designed as a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial with DRD2 genotype (AA, AG, GG), fescue seed (endophyte-free, E- or endophyte-infected, E+), stage of gestation (MID, d (day) 35-85; LATE, d 86-parturition) and all interactions in the model. Pregnant Suffolk ewes (n = 60) were stratified by genotype and fed E+ or E- seed in a total mixed ration according to treatment assignment. Serum prolactin concentrations were lower ( p < 0.05) in ewes fed E+ seed but did not differ by maternal DRD2 genotype or two-way interaction. Lamb birth weight was lower ( p < 0.05) in ewes fed E+ seed in last trimester. Pre-weaning growth rate, milk production and total weaning weight was reduced ( p < 0.05) in ewes fed E+ fescue seed during MID and LATE gestation. Ingestion of ergovaline/ergovalinine in last trimester reduces lamb birth weight; however, lamb growth rate, milk production and total weaning weight are reduced in all ewes fed E+ during mid and last trimester. |
