Global Veterinary Summit

Biography

Biography: Glen E Aiken

Abstract

There are Epichloe and Balansia species of fungal endophytes that can infect various forage grasses and grow in the intracellular spaces of the grasses. Endophytes seasonally produce large concentrations of ergopeptine alkaloids, which cause a toxicosis in grazing livestock. Certain endophytes also produce indole diterpenoids that cause the staggers condition in livestock. Ergovaline is typically the ergopeptine in highest concentration and also is the most toxic. Claviceps fungi can infect inflorescence of cereal grains and certain forage grass species, and produce ergopeptines, most notably ergotamine, that cause the toxicosis, but certain species can also produce tremorgen compounds (Claviceps paspali). Signs of the toxicosis include reduced conception rates, retention of rough hair coats, depressed prolactin concentrations, elevated core body temperatures, and reduced DM intakes and weight gains. Signs of consumption of tremorgen compounds is excitability, persistent shaking, and incoordination. Animals are sensitive to these toxic alkaloids, with morbidities often above 80%; however, mortality is typically below 5 percent. The cost in animal production can be quite high, but management approaches can be taken to mitigate the adverse effects on animal physiology and well-being. There will be a discussion on the altered physiology of grazing animals inflicted with either the toxicosis or staggers and management approaches to mitigate or alleviate the toxicosis.