Some observations on neurotoxin production in perennial ryegrass

Authors: Smith GS, Gallagher RT, di Menna ME, Young PW
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 30, Issue 12, pp 203-204, Dec 1982
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock
Subject Terms: Mycotoxicosis, Liver/hepatic disease, Disease/defect, Fungal/yeast, Locomotor, Nervous system/neurology, Pasture/crop, Poisoning - plant, Toxicology
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The presence of neurotoxins, two of which were named lolitrem A and lolitrem B, in perennial ryegrass associated with outbreaks of ryegrass staggers (RGS) in sheep was reported in 1981. Lolitrems are lipid-soluble compounds which induce protracted tremors when dosed i.p. to mice and which have also been found in a number of lines of ryegrass seed. Lolitrem-containing seed, fed to sheep, produced symptoms similar to those of RGS, whereas no symptoms were seen in sheep fed lolitrem-free seed. The reversability of the induced neurotoxicity, a well-known feature of RGS was observed in these experiments. There is a strong association between high infection levels of ryegrass endophyte in pasture and occurrence and severity of RGS outbreak…

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