Tasco-Forage: II. Monocyte immune cell response and performance of beef steers grazing tall fescue treated with a seaweed extract

Effects of applying Tasco-Forage, an Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed-based product prepared by a proprietary process, to endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum [Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin)-infected and endophyte-free tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were studied in each of 3 yr (1995, 1996, and 1997) in Virginia and in 1996 and 1997 in Mississippi. There were 48 steers at each location in each year (n = 240) in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with two replications at each location. Steers in Virginia were Angus and Angus x Hereford with initial weights of 245 kg (SD = 20), 234 kg (SD = 9), and 265 kg (SD = 5) in yr 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Steers in Mississippi were 3/4 Angus and 1/4 Brahman and weighed 230 kg (SD = 8) and 250 kg (SD = 2) in yr 2 and 3, respectively. Tasco (3.4 kg/ha) was dissolved in water and applied to pastures in April before grazing was begun and again in July at the same rate. The grazing period was from mid-April to late September or mid-October. Total gains were higher (P < 0.05) for steers grazing uninfected than for those grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue. Rectal temperatures were increased (P < 0.05) due to endophyte infection at both locations; Tasco application decreased temperature of steers grazing infected fescue in Virginia (interaction, P < 0.07) but increased temperatures of steers grazing infected fescue in Mississippi (interaction, P < 0.05). Presence of the endophyte resulted in rough hair coats and loss of hair color, but the effect was partially offset (P < 0.05) by Tasco application in Virginia in 1995. Both monocyte phagocytic activity (all years and locations) and major histocompatibility complex class II expression (1995 only) were decreased (P < 0.05) in steers due to endophyte infection, but this effect was reversed (P < 0.05) by application of Tasco to pastures. Application of the extract from A. nodosum seems to have use in alleviating adverse effects of endophyte on immune function and may improve hair coat condition in cattle grazing infected fescue, but effects on rectal temperature varied due to location.     

Tasco-Forage: IV. Influence of a seaweed extract applied to tall fescue pastures on sensory characteristics, shelf-life, and vitamin E status in feedlot-finished steers

Tasco-Forage is an Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed-based product that has increased antioxidant activity in both plants and animals. Endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum ([Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin)-infected and uninfected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures in Virginia and Mississippi during 1997 were treated or not with 3.4 kg Tasco/ha in April and July. There were two replications of each treatment at each location. Forty-eight steers (6/replication) grazed pastures at each location (n = 96) from April to October prior to transportation to Texas Tech, Lubbock, for finishing during a 160-d period in the feedlot. Blood (antemortem) and liver (postmortem) samples were collected. After slaughter and chilling, the left strip loins (IMPS #180) were collected from three randomly selected steers from within each pasture replication (n = 48). Strip loins were vacuum-packaged and stored at 2 degrees C. At postmortem d 7, 14, 21, and 28, strip loins were removed from packaging and fabricated into 2.54-cm steaks. Following each fabrication day postmortem, the strip loins were repackaged and stored at 2 degrees C until the following postmortem time. After the prescribed fabrication, steaks were overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film, subjected to simulated retail display at 2 degrees C for up to 3 d, and subjective and objective color were evaluated daily by a trained panel. Steaks from Mississippi steers that had grazed Tasco-treated fescue retained higher (P < 0.05) CIE a* color scores throughout retail display. Steaks were more uniform and had less discoloration and less browning (P < 0.05) if they were from steers that had grazed Tasco-treated fescue, and the effect was greatest for steers from Mississippi (location x Tasco interaction; P < 0.05). The endophyte in tall fescue may decrease uniformity and increase lean discoloration and two-toning of beef steaks when removed from vacuum packaging on or beyond d 21 postmortem (endophyte x Tasco x postmortem day interaction: P < 0.05). Vitamin E in liver was increased (P < 0.06) and serum vitamin E was decreased (P < 0.09) in steers that had grazed the treated pastures. These experiments indicated that Tasco applied to tall fescue during the grazing season can improve color stability and extend beef shelf-life, particularly in cattle grazing infected tall fescue. The mode of action of Tasco is not clear, but antioxidants and specific vitamins may be involved.     

Tasco-Forage: III. Influence of a seaweed extract on performance, monocyte immune cell response, and carcass characteristics in feedlot-finished steers

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum ([Morgan-Jones and Gams] Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin) causes fescue toxicosis in cattle grazing the forage, but effects of the endophyte were considered to be abated soon after removal of the animals from pastures. Tasco-Forage, a proprietary extract from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, is a known source of cytokinins and has increased antioxidant activity in both plants and the animals that graze the forage. Tasco was applied at 0 and 3.4 kg/ha to infected and uninfected tall fescue pastures in Virginia and Mississippi. Forty-eight steers grazed the pastures at each location during each of 2 yr (n = 192) before being transported to Texas for feedlot finishing. On arrival at the feedlot, steers from Tasco-treated pastures had higher (P < 0.01) monocyte phagocytic activity and tended (P < 0.07) to have higher major histocompatibility complex class II expression than steers that grazed the untreated pastures. A depression (P < 0.05) in monocyte immune cell function due to grazing infected fescue was detected throughout the feedlot finishing period but was reversed by Tasco. Rectal temperatures were elevated (P < 0.07) in steers that had grazed the infected tall fescue when they arrived in Texas, but by d 14 no difference was detected. However, by d 28 the temperature effects of infected tall fescue were reversed. Steers that had grazed infected fescue had lower (P < 0.01) rectal temperatures on d 112 of the feedlot period, demonstrating a much longer-lasting effect of the endophyte on thermoregulatory mechanisms than previously thought. Steers that had grazed Tasco-treated pastures had higher (P < 0.01) rectal temperatures on d 56 than steers that had grazed untreated fescue. Steers that had grazed the Tasco-treated pastures had higher marbling scores (P < 0.05) regardless of the endophyte, but no effect of Tasco or endophyte on gain was measured. Our data suggest that Tasco application to tall fescue pastures alleviated some of the negative effects of tall fescue toxicity.     

Evaluation of a ruminally dosed tall fescue seed extract as a model for fescue toxicosis in steers

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) toxicosis research is often complicated by a reduction in intake of infected forage or seed, making treatment comparisons difficult. This study was conducted to develop a fescue toxicosis model that would allow for variations in DMI without altering the quantity of alkaloids consumed over the course of the experiment. Ground tall fescue seed and a tall fescue seed extract were used in two 2-period crossover experiments to determine the effectiveness of ruminal dosing of a tall fescue seed extract to induce fescue toxicosis. This experiment used 4 growing Holstein steers (BW = 337 ± 24 kg) surgically fitted with ruminal cannulas. Steers were maintained on a diet of endophyte-free fescue hay fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Endophyte-infected (E+; 4.1 mg/kg of ergovaline) and uninfected (E-; 0.0 mg/kg of ergovaline) KY-31 tall fescue seed was ground and dosed or extracted with ethanol, concentrated, and lyophilized before ruminal dosing. Ergovaline concentration of the final extract was 102 mg/kg. Animals were given a minimum of a 3-wk washout period between treatments. Physiological indicators were measured over 7 d at 22°C (d 1 to 3) and 32°C (d 4 to 7) during both seed and extract dosing. Seed and extract E+ dosing reduced serum prolactin concentrations such that they were not different from zero (P < 0.10). Treatment with E+ reduced feed intake (P < 0.05) and heart rate (P < 0.001), and increased respiration rate (P < 0.01) and core temperature (P < 0.05) during both seed and extract dosing. Increasing environmental temperature from 22 to 32°C reduced total intake (P < 0.05) and increased core temperature (P < 0.001) and respiration rate (P < 0.001) during both seed and extract dosing. Diastolic blood pressure tended (P < 0.09) to be increased during E+ extract dosing and reduced during heat stress. These physiological alterations are consistent with those reported for cattle grazing or consuming seed from endophyte-infected tall fescue. These data indicate that a ruminally dosed ethanol extract of tall fescue seed is efficacious in inducing fescue toxicosis in cattle.     

Influence of endophyte-infected tall fescue on serum prolactin and progesterone in gravid mares.

Thirty mares in late gestation were used in a 3-yr study to assess effects of the tall fescue endophyte Acremonium coenophialum on serum prolactin (PRL) and progesterone. Two paddocks of each treatment, 0 or 100% infected 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue, were grazed by the mares for 21 d. Blood was collected three times per week until parturition. At 7-d intervals, mares were challenged with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) while grazing and blood was collected postinjection. Mares grazing 100% infected tall fescue (E+) had decreased serum PRL compared with mares grazing the 0% infected tall fescue (E-) in 2 of 3 yr. Within 8 d postgrazing, serum PRL for E+ mares equaled or surpassed values of the E- mares. Serum PRL was not different during the 3rd yr. In response to TRH, serum PRL rate of increase was similar between treatments but remained elevated (P less than .01) in the E+ mares at the 180-, 240-, and 300-min sample times. Serum progesterone was lowered (P less than .05) by E+ but increased to control values within 10 d postgrazing. It is concluded that serum PRL and progesterone in the gravid mare were decreased by the presence of A. coenophialum in 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue grass but normal levels were reestablished within 2 to 3 wk.     

盐胁迫对高羊茅生长及抗氧化系统的影响

研究了不同浓度NaCl(0,50,100,200,300 mmol/L)胁迫对高羊茅生长及抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,中、低浓度(50,100 mmol/L)盐胁迫下,高羊茅生物量和MDA含量与对照组相比没有显著变化;高浓度(200,300 mmol/L)盐胁迫后,生物量明显降低,MDA含量显著升高。抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性随着盐胁迫时间的延长先上升后下降,盐浓度越高3种酶活性下降幅度越大。盐胁迫初期,除类胡萝卜素含量略有上升外,GSH和还原型AsA均有不同程度的下降,随着胁迫时间的延长,3种抗氧化物质含量逐渐降低,200,300 mmol/L盐处理下降明显。     

粉煤灰与无土基质混合对高羊茅生长的影响

采用单形格子设计将粉煤灰、草炭、木屑和稻壳4种基质按照不同比例混合,研究其对高羊茅生长的影响。结果表明,不同处理之间,除出苗密度外,株高、分蘖数、盖度、地上与地下生物量均达到了显著性差异。其中,粉煤灰、草炭、木屑、稻壳的体积比2∶6∶1∶1的T2处理和粉煤灰、草炭、木屑、稻壳的体积比2∶4∶1∶3的T9处理为高羊茅生长的最佳基质配比,T2处理的株高、盖度、地下生物量较其他处理表现最好,T9处理在分蘖数、地上生物量较其他处理表现最好。     

Influence of consumption of endophyte-infested tall fescue hay on performance of heifers and lambs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate performance and physiological responses of heifers and lambs to Neotyphodium coenophialum-infested tall fescue hay fed under European rearing conditions. Endophyte-free (E-) or 100% endophyte-infested (E+) hay was derived from the same cultivar (cv. Clarine) so that the effect of the endophytic fungus could be clearly separated from a possible cultivar effect. In Exp. 1, starting in June 1996, 20 age- and body weight-paired Holstein dairy heifers were assigned for 97 d to one of two treatments consisting of ad libitum access to either E- or E+ hay, corresponding to 0 and .41 mg/kg ergovaline, respectively. During the experimental period, no significant difference (P>.20) in forage consumption, rectal temperature, or behavioral status of the animals was observed between the two treatments. The E+ diet induced a 10% apparent decrease in ADG and a clear reduction in prolactin (PRL) plasma concentration compared to the E- diet. When animals were all reassigned to a common endophyte-free diet, the E+ group recovered body weight and PRL to levels similar to those in animals fed E- after 7 wk. In Exp. 2, 30 Texel ram lambs were assigned to two treatments consisting of dietary E- or E+ tall fescue hay. The E- and E+ hays were harvested from the same plots as used in Exp. 1 and contained 0 and .96 mg/kg ergovaline, respectively. No effect of the endophyte was found on intake or carcass or testicle weight (P>.20) after the 95-d feeding period. The E+ treatment resulted in a slight reduction in BW at slaughter, mainly explained by a lower ruminal fill (P<.01). In E+ treated animals, prolactin concentrations dropped significantly (P<.001) from d 27. Hay assessment in both experiments showed no difference in chemical composition and IVDMD. The endophytic fungus strongly lowered the palatability of the E+ hay, although there was no effect on intake with heifers (Exp. 1) or with lambs (Exp. 2). The potential of severe heat stress, as expressed by the temperature humidity index, was not high in our experimental conditions, although they were considered rather unusually stressful for the western part of northern Europe. Yet, no economic effect on cattle was observed, in disagreement with results obtained in many previous U.S. studies.     

Perloline content in fodder grasses. 2. Perloline content in selected grass types and its variability in tall fescue and intergeneric tall fescue hybrids

The perloline content of fodder grasses is genetically determined and strongly influenced by environmental factors. Tall fescue and meadow fescue show high, perennial and Italian ryegrass low concentrations of perloline. The perloline content of tall fescue can be diminished by bastardization to a level harmless in cattle feeding.     

高浓度CO2对热胁迫条件下高羊茅生长和抗氧化系统的影响

大气CO₂浓度及温度逐年上升是当前全球范围内主要的两大气候特征,但不断升高的大气CO₂浓度可以缓解高温对植物生长发育带来的负面影响。为了探究高浓度CO₂在多年生禾草生长和抗氧化系统方面对热胁迫的响应,本试验以高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea cv. ‘Barlexas’)为材料,进行CO₂[当前浓度(400 μmol/mol)和高浓度(800 μmol/mol)]和温度[(最适生长温度(25/20 ℃)和热胁迫温度(35/30 ℃)]处理。结果表明,高温导致高羊茅的生长速率(G_r)、净光合速率(P_n)、光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、绿叶数、活性氧清除物质[超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)]活性等显著下降,叶片黄绿比、电解质渗漏率(EL)、丙二醛(MDA)、活性氧[过氧化氢(H₂O₂)、超氧阴离子(O₂^-·)]显著上升;热胁迫处理28 d时,高浓度CO₂较正常CO₂浓度使细胞膜稳定性增强(EL、MDA分别降低72%和39%),光合能力提高(P_n、F_v/F_m、绿叶数分别升高174%、17%和165%),活性氧积累减少(H₂O₂、O₂^-·含量分别下降46%和31%)。以上结果说明:高浓度CO₂通过提高高羊茅在热胁迫下的光合能力,维持细胞膜的稳定以及减少体内活性氧的积累减弱了热胁迫对植株的伤害,从而提高了高羊茅的抗热性。     

凌志高羊茅在中国的引种适应性研究

国外引进的优良草坪草种－凌志高羊茅在中国有代表性的6个气候带：北京（北过渡带）、沈阳（寒冷潮湿带）、兰州（寒冷半干旱带）、昆明（云贵高原带）、上海（温暖潮湿带）和广州（热带、亚热带）进行品种的评定和适应性的研究。结果表明：除在热带、亚热带地区外，凌志在其它气候带都能很好的适应，其色泽深绿，覆盖率高，并且耐热、抗寒能力也强，是适宜在中国热带、亚热带以外的地区建植的优良草坪草种。     

草地早熟禾与高羊茅蒸散量的研究

对草地早熟禾和高羊茅在整个生长季内的蒸散量（ET）进行了田间测定，研究了北京地区冷季型草坪草的ET变化规律。结果表明，生长季内高羊茅的总ET为629．59mm，比草地早熟禾的560．85mm高出11％；2个草种的ET变化趋势基本一致，均受气管因子的影响，各气象因子的作用不是孤立的；在整个生长季内草地早熟禾需灌水344．22mm(0.344m^3），高羊茅为393．55mm（0．394m^3)。     

高羊茅遗传转化研究进展

高羊茅Festuca arundinacea是一种在世界温带地区广泛种植的很重要的多年生冷季型牧草和草坪草,长期以来其品种改良主要依靠常规育种方法。植物基因工程技术的发展为高羊茅新品种选育提供了一种很有潜力的手段,目前国內外的许多公司和实验室都在利用转基因技术改良谊草种的耐逆性、病虫害和除草剂抗性以及品质等性状。本文从受体材料、转化方法、目标基因、影响因素、转基因遗传等多个方面综述了迄今为止高羊茅遗传转化研究所取得的进展。     

Influence of copper supplementation on blood and liver copper in cattle fed tall fescue or quackgrass

Copper concentrations were measured in naturally Cu-deficient and Cu-supplemented yearling Hereford heifers fed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) or quackgrass (Agropyron repens [L] Beauv.) forage. The data were used to establish a relationship between dietary Cu supplementation and accumulation of liver Cu, and to test the influence of diet and Cu supplementation on blood plasma Cu and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity. Dietary Cu supplementation was positively correlated with accumulation of liver Cu; the rate of increase in liver Cu levels diminished at high supplementation rates (liver Cu = 410.43 - 353.47 x e-.00295 x mg Cu supplement; R2 = .740), suggesting an efficient mechanism preventing fast, toxic Cu-overloading in cattle. The linear relationship (R2 = .7878) between blood plasma Cu and ceruloplasmin oxidase activity indicated that similar percentages of blood plasma Cu were present as ceruloplasmin in deficient, normal and Cu-supplemented cattle. However, the portion of plasma Cu occurring as ceruloplasmin changes significantly with type of feed. When compared with quackgrass, tall fescue not only produced rapid Cu depletion in unsupplemented cattle, but affected intermediary Cy metabolism and activity of Cu-enzyme ceruloplasmin differently at all levels of experimental Cu supplementation.     

Mefluidide treatment of tall fescue pastures: forage quality

Spring application of a plant growth regulator, mefluidide, to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures grazed from May to September reduced (P less than .05) available DM and digestible OM per hectare by 51 and 41%, respectively, compared to untreated pastures. However, seasonal averages for N, Ca and P content and in vitro OM disappearance (OMD) were greater (P less than .05) and NDF was lower (P less than .05) in tall fescue from mefluidide-treated pastures than in untreated pastures. Compared to hand-clipped samples, esophageal extrusa of tall fescue was 63% higher (P less than .05) in N (2.7 vs 1.7%) and 26% lower (P less than .05) in NDF (52.6 vs 69.9%) than hand-clipped tall fescue samples, regardless of treatment. Extrusa and hand-clipped herbage samples were similar (P greater than .10) in OMD during May and September, but OMD of extrusa was greater (P less than .05) during June, July and August compared to clipped samples. As a consequence of preventing stem elongation and seedhead formation earlier in the growing season, mefluidide treatment of tall fescue maintained forage quality at a higher level during midsummer.     

高羊茅在中国北过渡带(北京)的引种适应性研究

对高羊茅在中国北过渡带的引种适应性进行了观察研究 ,主要分析了高羊茅的生长特征、特性、形成草坪的质量、草坪的持续性、草坪的越冬越夏性、草坪的抗病性等指标 ,结果表明 :高羊茅品种基本都能较好地适应北京地区的土壤气候条件 ,其抗性、草皮的持续性都较优良 ,是适应北京地区粗放性管理的优良草种 ,同时对高羊茅草坪的养护管理提出了建议。     

A model of fescue toxicosis: responses of rats to intake of endophyte-infected tall fescue

A study was conducted to develop a model for fescue toxicosis using rats fed a diet containing endophyte-infected tall fescue seed (E+). Rats implanted with telemetric transmitters to continuously monitor core body temperature (Tc) and activity were housed at thermoneutrality (21 degrees C) and were fed a diet containing endophyte-free fescue seed (E-). After 2 wk, they were assigned to either E+ or E- diets and initially maintained at thermoneutrality (preheat) for 8 d. They were then exposed to heat stress (31 degrees C) for 22 d, followed by 1 wk of recovery at thermoneutrality (post-heat). Body weight and feed intake were measured daily. Rats receiving the E+ diet showed decreased feed intake (P = 0.001) and weight gains (P = 0.003) during the preheat period. The decrease in Tc from the pre-treatment level was greater in E+ than in E- rats during the preheat (P = 0.001) and postheat (P = 0.001) periods. With heat stress, both groups showed parallel decreases in feed intake. The increase in Tc from pre-heat to heat conditions was greater in E+ vs. E- rats (P = 0.001). Activity level was lower in E+ than in E-rats during heat stress (P = 0.009) and postheat (P = 0.037) periods. These results show that the rat model for fescue toxicosis is extremely useful because many of the observed responses to E+ diet are similar to those noted for cattle, and additional variables that are difficult to measure in cattle, such as activity, can be easily evaluated.     

Constriction of bovine vasculature caused by endophyte-infected tall fescue seed extract is similar to pure ergovaline

Ergovaline has been extensively used to study vasoactive effects of endophyte- (Neotyphodium coenophialum) infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum). However, initial results indicated that an extract of toxic tall fescue seed (E+EXT) is more potent than ergovaline alone in a right ruminal artery and vein bioassay. The E+EXT induced a greater contractile response than an equal concentration of ergovaline alone in the ruminal artery of heifers (P = 0.018). This led to a hypothesis that other compounds in the seed extract contribute to vasoconstriction. Thus, experiments were conducted to determine if vasoactivity of an E+EXT is different from a mixture of ergot alkaloids (ALK; ergovaline, ergotamine, ergocristine, ergocryptine, ergocornine, ergonovine, and lysergic acid) of similar concentrations and to determine if the vasoactivity of an E+EXT differs from an endophyte-free tall fescue seed extract (E-EXT). Segments of lateral saphenous vein and right ruminal artery and vein were collected from Holstein steers (n = 6) shortly after slaughter. Vessels were cleaned of excess connective tissue and fat and sliced into segments that were suspended in a multimyograph chamber with 5 mL of continually oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer, equilibrated for 90 min, and exposed to a reference compound (120 mM KCl for ruminal vessels and 0.1 mM norepinephrine for saphenous vein). Increasing concentrations of each treatment (E+EXT, E-EXT, ALK, and ergovaline) were added to the respective chamber every 15 min after buffer replacement. Data were normalized as a percentage of maximal contractile response of the reference compound and fit to a sigmoidal concentration response curve. Ergovaline, ALK, and E+EXT induced similar responses in the saphenous vein, ruminal artery, and ruminal vein. The E+EXT displayed a smaller EC(50) (half maximal effective concentration) than ergovaline or ALK in the saphenous vein and ruminal vein (P < 0.008), but not the ruminal artery (P = 0.31). Extrapolated maximum response was greatest in the saphenous vein for ergovaline, least for E+EXT, and intermediate for ALK (P < 0.0001). The E-EXT did not induce a contractile response in any vessel tested (P > 0.1). Data from this study indicate that ergovaline is largely responsible for the locally induced vasoconstriction of bovine vasculature observed with endophyte-infected tall fescue.     

浅谈无锡地区高羊茅草坪的养护管理

从灌溉排水、修剪、施肥、病虫害杂草防治等6个方面总结了适合无锡地区高羊茅草坪的养护管理工作方法。