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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 50(9)

Impact of mycotoxins and of a mycotoxin deactivator on alpacas grazing perennial ryegrass infected with wild endophyte (Neotyphodium spp.)

K. F. M. Reed A F , J. L. Vaughan B , L. J. Cummins C and D. D. Moore D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Reed Pasture Science, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

B Cria Genesis, PO Box 406, Ocean Grove, Vic. 3226, Australia.

C Ivanhoe, 559 Bulart Bridge Road, Cavendish, Vic. 3314, Australia.

D Biomin Australia Pty Ltd, PO Box 2344, Carlingford, NSW 2118, Australia.

E University of Queensland, School of Animal Studies, Gatton College, Qld 4345, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: rps@eftel.net.au

Animal Production Science 50(9) 902-908 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10068
Submitted: 3 May 2010  Accepted: 29 July 2010   Published: 29 September 2010

Abstract

Liveweight gain, animal health and the effectiveness of a mycotoxin deactivator were studied on an old pasture that contained 61% perennial ryegrass. Sixty-seven percent of the ryegrass population was infected with endophyte (Neotyphodium spp.). The pasture was fenced into two halves and two groups of 28 alpaca male weaners were rotated between the two plots. Nine to 10 Suris and 18–19 Huacayas were allocated to each group. One group was fed a concentrate supplement (100 g/head per day) and the other was fed the same supplement to which was added the toxin deactivator, Mycofix® Plus (5 g/100 g). Mean liveweight gain on the low-quality pasture over late summer and early autumn was not significantly (P > 0.05) different between the groups. For the control group it was 41 g/day but individual rates of gain ranged from 67 to 0 g/day, depending on the severity of signs of perennial ryegrass toxicosis (r = 0.82, P < 0.001). Liveweight gain was independent of neurotoxic signs in the Mycofix® Plus treated group. Ergovaline concentration in perennial ryegrass varied from 0.43 to a peak in early autumn (March) of 1.05 mg/kg. Mean urine lysergol alkaloid concentration peaked in mid-summer (January) at 109 ng/mg creatinine (control group) and was consistently lower in the Mycofix® Plus group, although the difference approached significance (P = 0.06) only in March. Lolitrem B concentration in perennial ryegrass varied from 0.78 to 1.57 mg/kg. Neurotoxic signs in alpacas were observed throughout the study and peaked in early autumn, coinciding with peak lolitrem B concentration; at this time, 84% of alpacas exhibited neurotoxic signs. Over the 145-day study, the Mycofix® Plus treated group exhibited a lower mean rating of perennial ryegrass toxicosis signs (P < 0.05). Variation in liveweight gain and signs of toxicosis were not associated with significant differences in liver enzyme activity.

Additional keywords: creatine kinase, deoxynivalenol, neck tremors, ryegrass staggers.


Acknowledgements

We thank Steve and Sue Ridout, Wildflower Alpacas, Macarthur, Vic., for the use of their facilities and alpacas and Sue Ridout for her careful assistance with the feeding and care of the experimental groups. We also thank Matthew and Cathy Lloyd, EPCambridge Alpacas, Oakbank, SA, Peter Kennedy and Robert Gane, Canchones Alpacas, Taggerty, Vic., Julie Wilkinson and Russell Synnot, Baarrooka Alpacas, Strathbogie, Vic., and Ian and Angela Preuss, Surilana Alpacas, Strathbogie, Vic., for the use of their alpacas. We thank Dr Robert Cunningham of Tarrington, Vic., for secure storage of concentrate and Biomin Australia Pty Ltd for supporting the study.


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