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Ali Hulett

AGR 376- Term Paper

Dr. Bruce Pratt

November 2nd, 2016

How Do Fescue Toxicities in Cattle Relate to Physiology of the

Rumen?

If there is ever an outstanding grass, it is definitely fescue.

Exceptionally drought tolerant, it grows under a wider temperature

range compared to most other grasses. In Kentucky If that werent

enough, it is also exceedingly productive under more broad climates

and temperature ranges. For areas with mild winters, it will provide

abundant amounts of forage almost year around to cattle. However,

there are some significant drawbacks to fescue. One is forage quality.

While fescue out-produces many other grasses, it is somewhat coarser.

As a result, cattle will not gain on fescue as well as less fibrous

grasses. But the most direct problem with fescue is toxicity, especially

locally in the spring, also known as cool season or C3, cattle producers

find this the most frustrating of all. We know what causes it and we

know how to fix it, however it is somewhat not preventable. Fescue is a

direct correlation between the entophyte plant and the anatomy and

physiology of cattle, specifically the rumen and extremities.

The primary cause of fescue toxicity is the same fungus that causes

ergot in grains. In humans, ergot is a potentially life threatening

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toxicant. In cattle, death loss is rare, but there are significant

physiological problems that typically translate into impaired

performance and growth. The entophyte that is contained within this

fescue plant can be only transmitted through the seed. Entophyte free

plants are offered, but do not seem to be as productive.

The primary action on cattle is a constricting of blood vessels. During

periods of extreme cold, this can restrict the flow of blood and warmth

to the extremities, causing gangrene to occur in the foot and/or tail

switch. Indeed, during winter fescue toxicosis is often referred to as

fescue foot (Price, 1998). Not only does it cause constriction of blood

vessels but many other problems. Results suggest that entophyte

toxins may reduce prolactin synthesis and release and may alter

activity of dopaminergic neurons (Schillo, 1988). Results also show and

suggest that domperidone supplementation of heifers consuming

fescue may ameliorate certain symptoms of fescue toxicosis (Jones,

2003).

Fescue, and legumes can also cause frothy bloat in which the rumen

anatomy and physiology plays a significant role. The rumen is not only

essential in the breakdown and digestion of grains and forages, but

also I find it to be exceptionally unique. The stomach of a ruminant

animal is composed of four parts, the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and

abomasum. With the rumen being the largest section. Fescue is known

for causing toxicities or bloat during its prime seasons. Previous

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research has implicated an endophytic fungus as being associated with

fescue toxicity in cattle grazing Kentucky 31 tall fescue( Festuca

arundinacea Schreb.) pastures (Schmidt, 1982). Typically ruminants,

such as cattle, get rid of gas through eructation, or a belch. At the end

of the esophagus sets two nerves that relay to the brain that it should

eructate. But this is not your common human belch, when eructation

occurs, it begins in the rumen, travels up through the esophagus,

finally settles into the lungs, and is breathed out within normal activity.

However, when gas cannot escape the rumen, bloat occurs. Therefore,

cattle cannot eructate when bloat is occurring. The rumen loses its

viscosity and normal layers, gas, fiber, and liquid are no longer

present. Death from bloat is likely caused by suffocation, when the

distended rumen pushes against the diaphragm and prevents

inhalation (Lemenager). In a normal functioning rumen, there should

be three containing layers. With gas residing on the top, fiber in the

middle, and the liquid portions resting on the bottom, to ensure

essential forage breakdown. Following is a diagram that shows a

normal and abnormal rumen. Diagram A is the normal functioning

rumen, with the correct layers from liquid to gas. However, diagram B

is a rumen filled with bloat, where all viscosity is lost.

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As stated there are several ways to treat this type of toxicity such as

bloat in cattle, but few to prevent it. Prolaxalene, commonly known as

bloat guard is a primary treatment. If prolaxalene is not present,

mineral oil or liquid based oil may be used to pour down their

esophagus eventually reaching the rumen. This oil will improve the

viscosity and force the liquid that is freely roaming back towards the

ventral section of the rumen. Limiting the amount of forage intake,

especially in the cool season, C3, Is another way to prevent and treat

fescue toxicities. It is probably the most economical and least time

consuming as well. If bloat becomes more serious, it may be treated

by inserting a trocar, or another sharp object, on the cows left side of

the stomach, to release the gas from the rumen. Moreover, if cattle are

prone to bloat, limiting fescue forage time may be the best bet for not

only the cattle producer but also herd health.

Benjamin Franklin once said, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound

of cure. Although there are fewer preventatives than there are

treatments, it is best to use what preventatives that are available. In

conclusion, it is always best to proactively prevent fescue toxicities by

limiting fescue forage time and intake.

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References Cited

Schmidt, S. P., C. S. Hoveland, E. M. Clark, N. D. Davis, L. A. Smith, H.

W. Grimes, and J. L. Holliman. 1982. Association of an Entophytic

Fungus with Fescue Toxicity in Steers Fed Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue Seed

or Hay1, 2. J. Anim. Sci. 55:1259-1263. Doi: 10.2527/jas1982.5561259x

Price, David. "Fescue Toxicity. Content from BEEF Magazine.

September 01, 1998. Accessed November 03, 2016.

http://beefmagazine.com/mag/beef_fescue_toxicity.

Schillo, K. K., L. S. Leshin, J. A. Boling, and N. Gay. 1988. Effects of

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Entophyte-Infected Fescue on Concentrations of Prolactin in Blood Sera

and the Anterior Pituitary and Concentrations of Dopamine and

Dopamine Metabolites in Brains of Steers1. J. Anim. Sci. 66:713-718.

doi:10.2527/jas1988.663713x

Jones, KL at el. "Domperidone Can Ameliorate Deleterious Reproductive

Effects and Reduced Weight Gain Associated with Fescue Toxicosis in

Heifers." National Center for Biotechnology Information. Accessed

November 02, 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14552385

Lemenager, Ron. "Grass Tetany and Bloat - Purdue Agriculture." Purdue

University. Accessed November 02, 2016.

http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/beef/articles/GrassTetanyBloat.pdf.