COMPARING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR BEEF CATTLE BACKGROUNDING: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Livestock Production/Industries,

Summer-Long Grazing of High vs. Low Endophyte (\u3cem\u3eNeotyphodium coenophialum\u3c/em\u3e)-Infected Tall Fescue by Growing Beef Steers Results in Distinct Temporal Blood Analyte Response Patterns, with Poor Correlation to Serum Prolactin Levels

Previously, we reported the effects of fescue toxicosis on developing Angus-cross steer growth, carcass, hepatic mRNA, and protein expression profiles of selected serum proteins, and blood clinical and chemical profiles, after summer-long grazing (85 days) of high endophyte (HE)- vs. low endophyte (LE)-infected fescue pastures. We now report the temporal development of acute, intermediate, and chronic responses of biochemical and clinical blood analytes determined at specified time intervals (period 1, day 0–36; period 2, day 37–58; and period 3, day 59–85). Throughout the trial, the alkaloid concentrations of the HE forage was consistently 19–25 times greater (P ≤ 0.002) than the concentration in the LE forage, and HE vs. LE steers had continuously lower (P ≤ 0.049) serum prolactin (85%), cholesterol (27%), and albumin (5%), but greater red blood cells (7%). The HE steers had decreased (P = 0.003) ADG only during period 1 (−0.05 vs. 0.4 kg/day). For period 1, HE steers had reduced (P ≤ 0.090) numbers of eosinophils (55%) and lymphocytes (18%), serum triglyceride (27%), and an albumin/globulin ratio (9%), but an increased bilirubin concentration (20%). During period 2, serum LDH activities were 18% lower (P = 0.022) for HE vs. LE steers. During period 3, serum levels of ALP (32%), ALT (16%), AST (15%), creatine kinase (35%), glucose (10%), and LDH (23%) were lower (P ≤ 0.040) for HE steers. Correlation analysis of serum prolactin and other blood analytes revealed that triglycerides (P = 0.042) and creatinine (P = 0.021) were moderately correlated (r ≤ 0.433) with HE serum prolactin. In conclusion, three HE-induced blood analyte response patterns were identified: continually altered, initially altered, and subsequently “recovered,” or altered only after long-term exposure. Blood analytes affected by length of grazing HE vs. LE forages were either not or poorly correlated with serum prolactin. These data reveal important, temporal, data about how young cattle respond to the challenge of consuming HE pasture

Performance of Tall Fescue Varieties [1984]

The objective of the tall fescue breeding program is the development of varieties characterized by superior nutritive value (including reduced contents of perloline and loline alkaloids and the fungal endophyte, Epichloe typhina, (Acremonium coenophialum), palatability, disease resistance, and adaptation through the utilization of intergeneric and interspecific hybrid derivatives of ryegtass and tall fescue species. Varieties previously released from the breeding program were Kentucky 31, Kenwell; and Kenhy. Johnstone tall fescue, developed cooperatively by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA-ARS, was released March 1, 1982, as a new variety. Johnstone is characterized as having low levels of perloline alkaloid and the fungal endophyte; Acremonium coenophialum, and improved forage quality during summer. It is expected that seed of Johnstone will be available commercially during 1985, and a good supply should be available for spring and summer 1986 planting

Agronomic and Animal Performance of Different Tall Fescue Varieties

The objective of the tall fescue breeding program is the development of varieties characterized by superior nutritive value (including reduced contents of perloline and loline alkaloids and minimal infestation of the fungal endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum), palatability, disease resistance, and adaptation through the utilization of intergeneric and interspecific hybrid derivatives of ryegrass and tall fescue species. Kentucky 31, Kenwell, and Kenhy were previously released from this breeding program. Johnstone tall fescue, developed cooperatively by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA-ARS, was released March 1, 1982 as a new variety. Johnstone is characterized as having low levels of perloline alkaloid and the fungal endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum) and improved forage quality during summer. It is expected that seed of Johnstone will be available commercially during 1985, and a good supply be available for /\u27 spring and summer 1986 plantings

1986 Update of Agronomic and Animal Performance of Different Tall Fescue Varieties

The objective of the tall fescue breeding program at the University of Kentucky is the development of varieties characterized by superior nutritive value (including reduced levels of perloline and loline alkaloids), minimal infestation of the fungal endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum), higher palatability, improved disease resistance, and wider adaptation through the derivation of intergeneric and interspecific hybrids of ryegrass and tall fescue species. Kentucky 31, Kenwell, and Kenhy were varieties released from this breeding program. Johnstone tall fescue, developed cooperatively by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA-ARS, is the most recently released variety. It is characterized as having low levels of perloline alkaloid and the fungal endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum) and improved forage quality during summer. Ample Johnstone seed should be available to meet demand during 1986

Summer-long grazing of high versus low endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum)-infected tall fescue by growing beef steers results in distinct temporal blood analyte response patterns, with poor correlation to serum prolactin levels

Previously, we reported the effects of fescue toxicosis on developing Angus-cross steer growth, carcass, hepatic mRNA and protein expression profiles of selected serum proteins, and blood clinical and chemical profiles, after summer-long grazing (85 d) of high (HE)- vs low (LE)-endophyte-infected fescue pastures. We now report the temporal development of acute, intermediate, and chronic responses of biochemical and clinical blood analytes determined at specified time intervals (period 1, d 0 to 36; period 2, d 37 to 58; and period 3, d 59 to 85). Throughout the trial, the alkaloid concentrations of the HE forage was consistently 19 to 25 times greater (P < 0.049) the concentration in the LE forage, and HE vs LE steers had continuously lower (P < 0.049) serum prolactin (85%), cholesterol (27%), and albumin (5%), but greater red blood cells (7%). The HE steers had decreased (P = 0.003) ADG only during period 1 (-0.05 vs 0.4 kg/d). For period 1, HE steers had reduced (P < 0.090) numbers of eosinophils (55%) and lymphocytes (18%), serum triglyceride (27%), and an albumin/globulin ratio (9%), but an increased bilirubin concentration (20%). During period 2, serum LDH activities were 18% lower (P = 0.022) for HE vs LE steers. During period 3, serum levels of ALP (32%), ALT (16%), AST (15%), creatine kinase (35%), glucose (10%), and LDH (23%) were lower (P < 0.040) for HE steers. Correlation analysis of serum prolactin and other blood analytes revealed that triglycerides (P = 0.042) and creatinine (P = 0.021) were moderately correlated (r < 0.433) with HE serum prolactin. In conclusion, three HE-induced blood analyte response patterns were identified: continually altered, initially altered and subsequently recovered, or altered only after long-term exposure. Blood analytes affected by length of grazing HE vs LE forages were either not, or poorly, correlated with serum prolactin. These data reveal important, temporal, data about how young cattle respond to the challenge of consuming HE pasture

Low-Dose Whole Brain Radiation Therapy for Alzheimer\u27s Dementia: Results From a Pilot Trial in Humans

PURPOSE: We report neurocognitive, imaging, ophthalmologic, and safety outcomes following low-dose whole brain radiation therapy (LD-WBRT) for patients with early Alzheimer dementia (eAD) treated in a pilot trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Trial-enrolled patients were at least 55 years of age, had eAD meeting NINCDS-ADRDA (National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer\u27s Disease and Related Disorders Association) Alzheimer\u27s Criteria with confirmatory fluorodeoxyglucose and florbetapir positron emission tomography findings; had the capacity to complete neurocognitive function, psychological function, and quality-of-life assessments; had a Rosen modified Hachinski score ≤4; and had estimated survival \u3e12 months. RESULTS: Five patients were treated with LD-WBRT (2 Gy × 5 over 1 week; 3 female; mean age, 73.2 years [range, 69-77]). Four of 5 patients had improved (n = 3) or stable (n = 1) Mini-Mental State Examination (second edition) T-scores at 1 year. The posttreatment scores of all 3 patients who improved increased to the average range. There were additional findings of stability of naming and other cognitive skills as well as stability to possible improvement in imaging findings. No safety issues were encountered. The only side effect was temporary epilation with satisfactory hair regrowth. CONCLUSIONS: Our results from 5 patients with eAD treated with LD-WBRT (10 Gy in 5 fractions) demonstrate a positive safety profile and provide preliminary, hypothesis-generating data to suggest that this treatment stabilizes or improves cognition. These findings will require further evaluation in larger, definitive, randomized trials