Daniel Poole

Beef cattle that respond differently to fescue toxicosis have distinct gastrointestinal tract microbiota

PLoS ONE · 2020 · 24 citations

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) is a widely used forage grass which shares a symbiosis with the endophytic fungus Epichloë coenophiala. The endophyte produces an alkaloid toxin that provides herbivory, heat and drought resistance to the grass, but can cause fescue toxicosis in grazing livestock. Fescue toxicosis can lead to reduced weight gain and milk yields resulting in significant losses to the livestock industry. The objective of this study was to identify bacterial and fungal communities…

Examining the long-term impacts of ergot alkaloids on fetal heifer development and subsequent growth and reproductive performance

Journal of Animal Science · 2024-01-01 · 2 citations

Consumption of toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (EI) results in poor reproductive performance in domestic livestock. In this study, the objective was to evaluate the effects of ergovaline exposure during mid-gestation (days 93 through 188 of gestation) on dam performance, the growing female fetus, and the subsequent growth and reproductive performance of the gestationally exposed heifer calves. Pregnant Angus and Simmental-Angus cows were blocked by age (2 to 3, to 7, and >7 y), body weight…

Influence of heat stress and fescue toxicosis on the pulmonary arterial pressure of beef heifers

Journal of Animal Science · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

Peripheral vasoconstriction is a major consequence of fescue toxicosis (FT). However, it remains unclear if major blood vessels, such as the pulmonary artery, are impacted by this disease. This study aimed to evaluate changes in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and different physiological parameters in replacement beef heifers consuming an endophyte-infected (EI) ration. Purebred Angus heifers (216.3 ± 6.1 kg; 9 to 11 mo of age; n = 36) were randomly separated and fed either an EI or endophyte-…

106 Exposure to ergot alkaloids and heat stress alter pulmonary arterial pressure and nutritional intake in beef heifers

Journal of Animal Science · 2024-09-01 · 1 citations

Abstract Ergot alkaloid consumption is detrimental to cattle as it negatively impacts several physiological and performance parameters. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in nutritional intake and different physiological and performance parameters of heifers consuming an ergot alkaloid-infected ration. Purebred Angus heifers (216.3 ± 6.1 kg; 9 to 11 mo of age; n = 36) were randomly separated and fed either an endophyte-infected (EI) or endophyte-free (EF) total mixed ration (TMR…

Exploring the impacts of fescue toxicosis on the pulmonary arterial pressure of angus cows

Journal of Animal Science · 2024-01-01 · 1 citations

Vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels is one of the hallmark symptoms of fescue toxicosis in cattle. Thus, it was hypothesized that exposure to ergot alkaloids would increase the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between PAP and different physiological parameters of cows grazing either endophyte-infected (EI) or novel-endophyte (EN) fescue, then evaluate changes in PAP and other physiological measurements in cows exposed to EI…