Tall Fescue Endophyte: Effect on Congenital Development and Pup Growth in Mice

Abstract

This study was designed to assess effects of a diet containing endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum)-infected tall fescue seed on litter growth and development in mice. Twenty pairs of mature CD-1 mice were allocated to dietary treatments containing 50% (wt/wt) rodent chow plus either 50% endophyte-infected tall fescue seed or seed that was not infected. At parturition, six pups of approximately equal BW and sex ratio were selected from each litter and fostered to each of the dams for suckling, resulting in four suckling groups. Pups born to dams fed the infected diet weighed less at birth and experienced developmental delays in BW gain and in eye opening (16.7 vs. 13.7 d) regardless of the foster dam's diet. Pups born of dams fed the diet that was not infected attained the greatest growth rates and weaning weights; those suckling dams fed the diet that was not infected demonstrated the largest gains. Pups born of and suckled by dams fed the infected diet demonstrated greatly reduced growth rates and weaning weights compared with the other groups. Results suggest that the congenital effect on pups born of dams fed an infected diet was significant in lowering the growth rate of the pups during suckling. The dam's ability to provide nourishment to the pups also was lowered when fed this diet. When these two factors were combined, the differences were greater than for either factor separately.

Nitric oxide supplementation alleviates hyperthermia induced by intake of ergopeptine alkaloids during chronic heat stress

“…This pathological condition, known as fescue toxicosis, is generally associated with reduced animal health and performance (Oliver, 2005). Fescue toxicosis is reported to occur in a variety of wild and domestic animals, including birds (Conover and Messmer, 1996;Zavos et al, 1993), meadow voles (Conover, 1998), mice (Varney et al, 1991), rats (Spiers et al, 2005a), sheep (Gadberry et al, 2003), horses (Cross et al, 1995), and cattle (Oliver, 1997). The characteristic changes include reductions in feed intake and growth rate.…”

Symbiosis and the Regulation of Communities1

“…7), indicating a significant negative effect of population density on female sexual maturity in infected plots. Varney et al (1991) also found that a diet of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed delayed the onset of puberty in female mice, although Tannenbaum et al (1998) did not find any difference between infected and uninfected tall fescue seed in suppressing white-footed mouse reproduction.…”

The Impact of 3 exotic, invasive grasses in the Southeastern United States on wildlife

“…The negative effect of the endophyte on laboratory rodents has been well‐documented (Zavos et al , ; Varney et al 1991 a , b ; ; Godfrey et al ), although the effect of endophyte consumption on native small mammals is more variable. For instance, Conover () found that meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) preferred non‐infected leaves to infected leaves and it had no effect on reproduction, but when temperature was increased, they exhibited higher mortality.…”