Liver function and ryegrass staggers

Authors: Piper EL
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 37, Issue 4, pp 173-174, Dec 1989
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
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: A number of previous reports on ryegrass staggers in sheep, caused by the ingestion of ryegrass infected with the fungal endophyte Acremonium loliae, imply that the body, probably the liver, is capable of initially removing the toxins, but that with prolonged exposure this ability degrades. In one trial lambs initially developed staggers after 10-14 days exposure to endophytic pasture. The first group of lambs were removed to a non endophytic (non toxic) pasture to recover and were replaced by a second group of similar lambs which had also been grazing non endophytic pasture. The replacement group developed severe ryegrass staggers within 18 days while the original group apparently fully recovered with no visual symptoms of the disorder. On re-exposure to the same toxic pasture the original group, which had been free of symptoms for at least 14 days, developed severe ryegrass staggers symptoms…

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