책임운영기관 농촌진흥청 국립축산과학원 (로고)

This study assessed the effects of fescue toxicosis on ruminal metabolism and physiology in steers. Twelve ruminally cannulated Angus steers [body weight (BW) = 547 ± 9 kg] were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to six blocks. The steers were fed alfalfa cubes (1.5× NEm) and dosed (1 kg/d) with either endophyte-infected tall fescue seed (E+) or endophyte-free tall fescue seed (E-) via rumen cannula for 21 days. Ruminal dry matter (DM) content was tended to have a higher (p=0.052) in steers in E+ than in E- group. Total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetate concentrations, as well as the acetate:propionate ratio, were higher (p=0.084, 0.095, and <0.001, respectively) in the E+ group, while propionate was lower (p<0.001). Ruminal pH and temperature were similar between treatment groups (p=0.62 and 0.95, respectively), but ruminal pressure was higher (p<0.001) in E-. Additionally, serum prolactin levels was lower (p<0.001) in the E+ group. These findings suggest that consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed may impair ruminal VFA absorption, potentially due to changes in ruminal motility