Fescue toxicosis (fescue grass poisoning) --an important poisoning of cattle in South America
Renner, J.E.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 94(5): 281-282
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 3301278 Document Number: 301817
Festuca arundinacea, an important pasture and fodder grass in North and South America, is found widely in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Fescue toxicosis is found in many parts of the world. Three different syndromes can be differentiated: fescue foot (gangrene of the extremities), disturbed temperature regulation (summer syndrome), and unthriftiness or even wasting. Toxicity is thought to be due to an endophytic parasitic fungus Acremonium coenophialum. Fungus-infected plants contain higher concentrations of the alkaloids loline and perloline than uninfected plants.