Development of a feed-intake model for evaluation of toxins associated with endophyte-infected fescue

Authors

  • P.A. Eichen
  • S.L. Raney
  • G.E. Rottinghaus
  • D.E. Spiers

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/rps.13.2006.3140

Abstract

Feed intake of rats may serve as a sensitive respondent to toxins found in endophyte-infected fescue. Unfortunately, there have been few controlled studies of feed intake to create a reliable model. In the present study, rats were fed diets containing different amounts of endophyte-infected fescue (E+) and ergovaline (EV; a primary toxin associated with fescue toxicosis) to develop a dose-response curve for feed intake. Dose-dependent reduction in feed intake was observed, with a decrease even at the lowest concentration of EV. Involvement of ergotamine (i.e. another toxin in E+) in fescue toxicosis-induced reduction in intake was evaluated by adding it to diets. In contrast to EV treatment, there was only a small reduction in feed intake with ergotamine, followed by rapid recovery to pretreatment levels. A more effective paradigm for evaluating the effect of different toxins on feed intake and potential treatments may be a restricted feed regimen. Rats placed on a 2-h restricted-feed program of ground commercial chow followed by E+ diet show a decrease in both feed intake and growth. Future studies will refine this routine to identify specific effects of toxins found in endophyte-infected fescue on feed intake. Keywords: rat, fescue toxicosis, feed intake

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Published

2007-01-01

How to Cite

Eichen, P., Raney, S., Rottinghaus, G., & Spiers, D. (2007). Development of a feed-intake model for evaluation of toxins associated with endophyte-infected fescue. NZGA: Research and Practice Series, 13, 403–405. https://doi.org/10.33584/rps.13.2006.3140

Issue

Vol. 13 (2007): 6th International Symposium on Fungal Endophytes of Grasses

Section

Past volumes

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