Publication Date
1993
Description
Many fungi are parasites and saprophytes of growing and conserved forage crops. A number of these produce mycoloxins, the synthesis of which is controlled by the interaction of fungal and host genomes and the environment. Mycotoxins have diverse chemical structures and elicit a range of responses in ruminant animals. Some of the more important mycotoxin-producing fungi found in forages include Claviceps spp. (ergot alkaloids, paspalitrems) and Acremonium spp. (ergot alkaloids, lolitrcms) causing various forms of ergot toxicity and neurological (lremorgenic) disorders; Pithomyces clrartarum (sporidesmin) and other fungal species causing photosensitisation (e.g., facial eczema, geeldikkop); Phomopsis /eptoslromiformis (phomopsins) causing lupinosis; Rhizoctonia leguminicola (slaframine) causing a parasympathomimetic, primarily slobbering, disorder; and Fusarimn species (zearalenone) affecting reproduction. While many mycotoxins have been identified in conserved forages (hay and silage), only one well-defined mycotoxicosis of conserved forage (stachybotryotoxicosis) has been described. Others are suspected, however, on the grounds of significant fungal or toxin contamination. Strategies for coping with mycotoxins have been developed although these have not always been successful owing to inadequate information or poor implementation. New strategies are being developed as we learn more about the epidemiology of the fungi, the chemistry and biosynthesis of mycotoxins, and the pathophysiology of the mycotoxicoses, Control strategies discussed depend on manipulation and management of the animals (reducing toxin intakes, protecting against ingested toxin and increasing inherited animal resistance), of the fungi (reducing toxin biosynthesis and chemical control), and of the crops (breeding for resistance and pasture management),
Citation
Towers, N R. and Siegel, M R., "Coping with Mycotoxins that Constrain Animal Production" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 2.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session39/2
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Coping with Mycotoxins that Constrain Animal Production
Many fungi are parasites and saprophytes of growing and conserved forage crops. A number of these produce mycoloxins, the synthesis of which is controlled by the interaction of fungal and host genomes and the environment. Mycotoxins have diverse chemical structures and elicit a range of responses in ruminant animals. Some of the more important mycotoxin-producing fungi found in forages include Claviceps spp. (ergot alkaloids, paspalitrems) and Acremonium spp. (ergot alkaloids, lolitrcms) causing various forms of ergot toxicity and neurological (lremorgenic) disorders; Pithomyces clrartarum (sporidesmin) and other fungal species causing photosensitisation (e.g., facial eczema, geeldikkop); Phomopsis /eptoslromiformis (phomopsins) causing lupinosis; Rhizoctonia leguminicola (slaframine) causing a parasympathomimetic, primarily slobbering, disorder; and Fusarimn species (zearalenone) affecting reproduction. While many mycotoxins have been identified in conserved forages (hay and silage), only one well-defined mycotoxicosis of conserved forage (stachybotryotoxicosis) has been described. Others are suspected, however, on the grounds of significant fungal or toxin contamination. Strategies for coping with mycotoxins have been developed although these have not always been successful owing to inadequate information or poor implementation. New strategies are being developed as we learn more about the epidemiology of the fungi, the chemistry and biosynthesis of mycotoxins, and the pathophysiology of the mycotoxicoses, Control strategies discussed depend on manipulation and management of the animals (reducing toxin intakes, protecting against ingested toxin and increasing inherited animal resistance), of the fungi (reducing toxin biosynthesis and chemical control), and of the crops (breeding for resistance and pasture management),
