Development of a model for investigation of perennial ryegrass toxicosis in sheep

• Published in: New Zealand veterinary journal Vol. 66; no. 6; pp. 281 - 289
• Main Authors: Combs, MD, Edwards, SH, Scherpenhuizen, JM, Narayan, EJ, Kessell, AE, Piltz, J, Raidal, SR, Ramsay, J, Quinn, JC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 02.11.2018
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Ataxia; Autopsy - veterinary; Disease Models, Animal; Diseases; Electromyography - veterinary; Ergotamine - administration & dosage; Ergotamine - adverse effects; faecal cortisol metabolites; Feces - chemistry; Gait; Indole Alkaloids - administration & dosage; Indole Alkaloids - adverse effects; lolitrem B; Lolium - toxicity; Male; Mycotoxins - administration & dosage; Mycotoxins - adverse effects; New South Wales; Perennial ryegrass toxicosis; Random Allocation; Ryegrasses; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - chemically induced; Sheep Diseases - physiopathology; tremor; tremor; Perennial ryegrass toxicosis; ataxia; faecal cortisol metabolites; lolitrem B; sheep
• ISSN: 0048-0169; 1176-0710; 1176-0710
• DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2018.1492986

To develop a clinical model of perennial ryegrass toxicosis (PRGT) based on feeding a known dose of lolitrem B and ergotamine, and to produce a consistent clinical presentation for assessment of disease pathophysiology, neurological changes and neurohistopathology. Male lambs, aged between 10-12 months, were randomly assigned to either Treatment (n=9) or Control (n=9) groups. Lambs in the Treatment group received feed containing a novel endophyte-infested perennial ryegrass seed, commencing on Day 0 of the Feeding phase with a low induction dose, then increasing after 3 days to provide 0.16 mg/kg live bodywight (LBW)/day of lolitrem B and 0.054 mg/kg LBW/day ergotamine. Lambs were examined daily and when defined signs of PRGT were observed they were transferred to the Testing phase. Neurological examinations, assessment of gait, surface electromyography (EMG) and mechanosensory nociceptive threshold testing were carried out and blood samples collected during both phases of the trial, with a full necropsy, histopathological examination and measurement of faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) performed on Day 2 of the Testing phase. Typical clinical signs of PRGT, including ataxia of vestibulocerebellar origin leading to stumbling, were observed in all Treatment lambs. The median interval from the start of the Feeding phase to entry into the Testing phase was 21 (min 18, max 34) days. Histopathological characterisation of neurological lesions included the presence of Purkinje cell vacuolation, pyknotic granular layer neurons and proximal axonal Purkinje cell spheroids. Lesions were most apparent within the vestibulocerebellum. Mean root-mean-square voltages from triceps EMG increased in Treatment lambs between Feeding phase Day 0 and Testing phase Day 2 (p<0.001). Daily water intake during the Testing phase for the Treatment group was less than in Control group lambs (p=0.002), and concentrations of FCM at necropsy were higher in Treatment compared to Control lambs (p=0.02). Lolitrem B and ergotamine dosing in feed on a live weight basis combined with neurological/gait assessment provides an effective model for investigation of PRGT and potential therapeutics. Assessment of gait changes using defined criteria and RMS voltages from EMG appear to be useful tools for the assessment of the severity of neurological changes.