Discover the Impact of Fescue Grass on Mares!
What are the effects of ingesting fescue grass contaminated with the endophyte fungus Acremonium coenophialum on mares?
How does the fungus affect the release of a crucial hormone in mares?
When is the toxicity most significant during gestation?
What is the recommended action to reduce fescue-associated problems in mares towards the end of gestation?
How can affected mares be treated to help them produce milk?
Are mares with fescue toxicosis more likely to abort?
Answer:
Ingestion of fescue grass contaminated with the endophyte fungus Acremonium coenophialum causes agalactia, thickened placentas, and prolonged pregnancy in mares by suppressing prolactin release. Toxicity is most significant in the last 30 days of gestation. Mares should be removed from fescue pastures (and not fed fescue hay) for the last 60 days of gestation to reduce the incidence of fescue-associated problems. Treatment with domperidone can help affected mares produce milk. Mares with fescue toxicosis are more likely to abort than carry a pregnancy over term.
Explanation:
1. Agalactia: Ingestion of fescue grass contaminated with Acremonium coenophialum can lead to agalactia, a condition where mares are unable to produce milk adequately.
2. Prolactin release: The endophyte fungus in fescue grass suppresses the release of prolactin, a hormone essential for milk production in mammals.
3. Last 30 days of gestation: The toxicity is most significant in the last 30 days of gestation, during which mares are more susceptible to the adverse effects of fescue consumption.
4. Last 60 days of gestation: To reduce the incidence of fescue-associated problems, mares should be removed from fescue pastures and not fed fescue hay for the last 60 days of gestation.
5. Domperidone: Treatment with domperidone can help affected mares produce milk by counteracting the suppressive effects of the fungus on prolactin release.
6. Fescue toxicosis: Mares with fescue toxicosis, caused by the ingestion of contaminated fescue grass, are more likely to abort than carry a pregnancy over term. This highlights the importance of managing fescue exposure during pregnancy.