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Protein Oxidation In Foods: Mechanisms, Consequences, And Antioxidant Solutions, Mario Estévez, Youling L. Xiong

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment: Focus On The Intersection Of Oxidative Stress And Tnfα., Nicole G Rummel, Luksana Chaiswing, Subbarao Bondada, Daret K St Clair, D Allan Butterfield

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) has been observed in a large fraction of cancer survivors. Although many of the chemotherapeutic drugs do not cross the blood-brain barrier, following treatment, the structure and function of the brain are altered and cognitive dysfunction occurs in a significant number of cancer survivors. The means by which CICI occurs is becoming better understood, but there still remain unsolved questions of the mechanisms involved. The hypotheses to explain CICI are numerous. More than 50% of FDA-approved cancer chemotherapy agents are associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) that lead to oxidative stress and activate a myriad of …

Rorα Suppresses Cancer-Associated Inflammation By Repressing Respiratory Complex I-Dependent Ros Generation, Wei Mao, Gaofeng Xiong, Yuanyuan Wu, Chi Wang, Daret St. Clair, Jai-Da Li, Ren Xu

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Breast cancer development is associated with macrophage infiltration and differentiation in the tumor microenvironment. Our previous study highlights the crucial function of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in enhancing macrophage infiltration during the disruption of mammary tissue polarity. However, the regulation of ROS and ROS-associated macrophage infiltration in breast cancer has not been fully determined. Previous studies identified retinoid orphan nuclear receptor alpha (RORα) as a potential tumor suppressor in human breast cancer. In the present study, we showed that retinoid orphan nuclear receptor alpha (RORα) significantly decreased ROS levels and inhibited ROS-mediated cytokine expression in breast cancer cells. RORα expression …

Response Of Mixed C4 Grasses To Various Multiple Paddock Grazing Strategies, B. E. Anderson, W. H. Schacht

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The botanical composition of mixed grass pastures may change during grazing due to the various grazing period/recovery period lengths associated with multiple-paddock grazing strategies. This 4-year study compared changes in relative species composition and basal plant cover of a C₄ grass mixture grazed using a nested paddock design to simulate 2, 4, 6 and 12- paddock grazing cells in eastern Nebraska. Total basal plant cover declined from 11.6% prior to grazing to 7.3% after one year of grazing and then remained nearly constant thereafter. Neither relative species composition nor basal density were affected greatly by grazing strategy. Within grazing …

Spatial And Time Distribution Of Dairy Cattle Manure In An Intensive Pasture System, S. L. White, S. P. Washburn, L. D. King, R. E. Sheffield, J. T. Green Jr.

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study determined distribution of feces and urine from dairy cattle managed in a rotationally grazed pasture. Lactating Holsteins (n=18) and Jerseys (n=18) were grazed on a .74 ha endophyte-free fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture. All cows were constantly observed for 24 h 6 times over 12 mo. Cows had access to about 54% of the paddock during the first grazing period (12 h) and had access to the entire paddock during the second grazing period (8 h). Data included: (1) all feces and urine events from eight cows, observed while in the pasture, …

Effects Of Herbage Allowance Upon Animal Performance And Grazing Behavior Of Strip-Grazed Heifers, Claudio F. Machado, F. Di Croce, F. Gonzalez, H. Zeballos, N. J. Auza, M. H. Wade, S. T. Morris, J. Hodgson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A trial was designed to test the effect of herbage allowance (HA) on live-weight gain (LWG) and grazing behavior of heifers during spring as part of a combined field-modeling research programme. Low HA (L) and high HA (H) of 2.5 and 5.0 kg DM herbage mass 100 kg animal LW^-1day^-1 were fed respectively. H animals grazed longer and achieved a higher LWG than L (P < 0.05). H animals left a higher residual pasture (P < 0.051) with a significantly (P < 0.05) higher content of green, clover, non-lamina and petiole of a higher digestibility and NSC, with a lower NDF content. The significance of some factors involved in these results on intake and diet selection are discussed in relation to the predictability of animal performance.

Diversity In Alzheimer's Disease Drug Trials: The Importance Of Eligibility Criteria, Sanne Franzen, Jade Emily Smith, Esther Van Den Berg, Monica Rivera Mindt, Rozemarijn L. Van Bruchem-Visser, Erin L. Abner, Lon S. Schneider, Niels D. Prins, Ganesh M. Babulal, Janne M. Papma

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: To generalize safety and efficacy findings, it is essential that diverse populations are well represented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug trials. In this review, we aimed to investigate participant diversity in disease-modifying AD trials over time, and the frequencies of participant eligibility criteria.

METHODS: A systematic review was performed using Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov, identifying 2247 records.

RESULTS: In the 101 included AD trials, participants were predominantly White (median percentage: 94.7%, interquartile range: 81.0-96.7%); and this percentage showed no significant increase or decrease over time (2001-2019). Eligibility criteria such as exclusion of persons with psychiatric illness …

No Effect Of Hypercholesterolemia On Elastase-Induced Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression, Toru Ikezoe, Takahiro Shoji, Jia Guo, Fanru Shen, Hong S. Lu, Alan Daugherty, Masao Nunokawa, Hiroshi Kubota, Masaaki Miyata, Baohui Xu, Ronald L. Dalman

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

Objective: Epidemiological studies link hyperlipidemia with increased risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, the influence of lipid-lowering drugs statins on prevalence and progression of clinical and experimental AAAs varies between reports, engendering controversy on the association of hyperlipidemia with AAA disease. This study investigated the impact of hypercholesterolemia on elastase-induced experimental AAAs in mice. Methods: Both spontaneous (targeted deletion of apolipoprotein E) and induced mouse hypercholesterolemia models were employed. In male wild type (WT) C57BL/6J mice, hypercholesterolemia was induced via intraperitoneal injection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding a gain-of-function proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 mutation (PCSK9) followed by …

Factors Influencing The Yield Proportions Of Plantago Lanceolata L. And Taraxacum Officinale Web. In Lolium Perenne L. Swards, Harald Laser

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Diaspores of Plantago lanceolata and Taraxacum officinale respectively were sown in established Lolium perenne swards to determine the dynamics of their yield proportions during five years. The experimental factors were forb species, variety of the grass species (= early or late flowering), N-fertilization, and sward density. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer had the most important effect on yield proportions of the forb species and also on the total dry-matter (= DM) yield. The single creation of gaps in grass swards before sowing forbs had a lasting positive effect on the Plantago lanceolata and Taraxacum officinale proportions. Peak proportions of Taraxacum …

Dynamic Of Native Pasture Influenced By Deferment Of Grazing And Fertilization, K. E. Gomes, G. E. Maraschin, J. Riboldi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Native pastures of southern Brazil cover 12 million ha and are the main forage feed resource for most domestic livestock. However, their heavy and continuous use has reduced standing biomass and the presence of good forage species, reducing animal performance and jeopardizing the ecosystem sustainability. An alternative for better use of these pastures and their preservation is grazing deferment that allow natural reseeding. The objective of this research was evaluate native pasture dynamic after six years of grazing deferments (GD) periods and soil fertilization effects by point-quadrat method every season. All pasture components were affected by GD, with prostrate grasses …

Mountain Pastures Structure And Its Relationship With Grazing, I. Albizu, S. Mendarte, G. Besga, I. Amezaga, M. Onaindia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The present work aims toward an approach to mountain pastures as a system of relationships in which it is needed to point out those environmental factors that reflect more clearly their structure and potential productivity. This initial step of pasture tipification is important as a previous activity before the planning and management of protected areas because these areas support an intensive pastoral activity. In order to achieve this objective a field study was conducted in two areas in the Gorbeia Natural Park (Bizkaia): Arraba and Aldamiñape, located at 900-1100 masl. In each pasture four plots were selected according to orientation …

Nitrogen Dynamics From Decomposing Litter Of Panicum Maximum With Different Nitrogen And Phosphorus Content In Brazilian Alfissol, R. M. Schunke, J. C. Kiehl, Valdinei T. Paulino, S. Urquiaga, R. M. Bodey, B. Alves

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to measure the dynamics (immobilization and release) of N and to evaluate the effect of the initial chemical composition of four Panicum maximum cultivars grown in a Alfisol and fertilized with different levels of nitrogen (0, 80 e 160 kg ha^-1 de N) and phosphorus (0 e 200 kg ha^-1), on the release of the N from the litter using the litterbags technique. There was an increase in the litter initial concentration of N with time of decomposition. The Aruana and Vencedor cultivars released about 70 and 60% of N; respectively, …

Impact Of Grazing Management Strategies On Carbon Sequestration In A Semi-Arid Rangeland, Usa, J. D. Reeder, G. E. Schuman, J. A. Morgan, D. R. Lecain, R. H. Hart

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of 12 years of grazing management strategies on carbon (C) distribution and sequestration were assessed on a semi-arid mixed-grass prairie in Wyoming, USA. Five grazing treatments were evaluated: non-grazed exclosures; continuous, season-long grazing at a light (22 steer-days ha^-1) stocking rate; and, rotationally-deferred, short-duration rotation, and continuous, season-long grazing, all three at a heavy stocking rate (59 steer-days ha^-1). Non-grazed exclosures exhibited a large buildup of dead plant material (72% of total aboveground plant matter) and forb biomass represented a large component (35%) of the plant community. Stocking rate, but not grazing strategy, changed …

Contribution Of Dairy Cow Manure To Soil Fertility And Nutrient Redistribution In Pastures, S. R. Aarons, C. R. O'Connor, M. Hall, C. J. P. Gourley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of dairy cow manure on soil fertility were investigated at the site of the long-term phosphorus rate by stocking rate farmlet experiment at the Dairy Research Institute, Ellinbank, in Victoria. Manure increased extractable soil P (Olsen) in the 0 - 5 cm layer after 60 days to 61 mg/kg compared with values of 32 mg/kg in the control soils. Extractable soil K (Colwell) almost doubled under manure pads to 5 cm depth from 642 mg/kg in control soils to 1226 mg/kg in manure treated soils. The effects of grazing management on nutrient redistribution and pasture growth within strip-grazed …

Impact Of Increasing Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates Upon An Irrigated Tanzania Grass Pasture. 1. Dry Matter Yield, F. Queiroz-Neto, G. B. Martha Jr., M. A. Penati, M. Corsi, M. J. T. Menezes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An experiment was carried out with irrigated Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum, Jacq.) pasture receiving five nitrogen (N) rates of (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha-¹ cut-¹) during the growing season. N application increased dry matter yield and Tanzania growth rate linearly (P < 0.05). Responses to nitrogen applications were higher in the first two cuts of the growing season than in the last two cuts. The N fertilizer conversion into herbage dry matter was also higher in the beginning of the growing season.

Short-Term Study On 13Carbon Discrimination On Irrigated Tropical Pasture, G. B. Martha Jr., M. Corsi, P. C. O. Trivelin, F. Queiroz-Neto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A better understanding of pasture ecosystem can be obtained through the use of ¹³C discrimination technique. In this context, an experiment, assigned in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, was conducted to evaluate the Δ ¹³C (‰) discrimination, nitrogen (N) yield (kg N ha-¹), total nitrogen content (g kg dry matter (DM)-¹) and dry matter yield (kg DM ha-¹) on an irrigated Tanzania grass pasture (Panicum maximum, Jacq.) receiving increasing rates (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha-¹ cut-¹) of N fertilizer during the summer. Dry matter yield, N yield and nitrogen …

Apparent Recovery Of Surface Applied Nitrogen Fertilizer By A Coastcross Pasture, A. C. Primavesi, O. Primavesi, L. A. Corrêa, H. Cantarella, A. G. Silva

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nitrogen recoveries from five levels of urea and ammonium nitrate surface-applied on coastcross pasture, grown on a dark red latosol (Hapludox), in São Carlos, SP, Brazil, under tropical altitude climate, were estimated. Significant differences occurred within periods (P < 0.05), depending on climatic conditions. Under adequate plant growth conditions, mean N recovery from urea was about 67%, sometimes reaching 80%, of that from ammonium nitrate. Recovery of ammonium nitrate varied from 45 to 68% of applied N.

Longitudinal Cognitive Performance Of Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathological Subtypes, Madeline Uretsky, Laura E. Gibbons, Shubhabrata Mukherjee, Emily H. Trittschuh, David W. Fardo, Patricia A. Boyle, C. Dirk Keene, Andrew J. Saykin, Paul K. Crane, Julie A. Schneider, Jesse Mez

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathological subtypes (limbic predominant [lpAD], hippocampal sparing [HpSpAD], and typical [tAD]), defined by relative neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) burden in limbic and cortical regions, have not been studied in prospectively characterized epidemiological cohorts with robust cognitive assessments.

Methods: Two hundred ninety-two participants with neuropathologically confirmed AD from the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project were categorized by neuropathological subtype based on previously specified diagnostic criteria using quantitative regional NFT counts. Rates of cognitive decline were compared across subtypes using linear mixed-effects models that included subtype, time, and a subtype-time interaction as predictors and four cognitive …

Evaluation Of “Feeding Intelligence” In Murrah Water Buffaloes Grazing Three Different Tropical Grasses, P. B. Alcântara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acceptability and palatability are two terms of large utilization that help to understand animal selection for feed. “Feeding intelligence” is a new theory recently introduced to replace those terms mentioned before. According to most recent research works, the feeding intelligence is acquired and remains for a long period of time in the memory of some animals. The present experiment had the purpose of showing its occurence in water buffaloes aiming, at the same time, to better understand their feeding behaviour. Three tropical grasses were tested: Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu, Panicum maximum cv Tanzania and Setaria sphacelata var. sericeae cv Kazungula. …

Foraging Strategies On Rangeland: Effects On Intake And Animal Performance, Peter O’Reagain

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangelands exhibit extreme spatial and temporal variability in forage quality and availability. The animals that utilise these rangelands have consequently evolved a range of foraging strategies in an attempt to cope with this variability and maintain nutrient intake. In general, animals respond to and exploit spatial variability at all scales by selecting those items or units which optimise the intake of digestible nutrients and hence animal production. Animals similarly employ a variety of strategies to cope with temporal variability on rangelands. These strategies may include adjusting foraging behaviour and/or exploiting critical resources or resource areas to buffer temporal variability in …

On The Scale Dependence Of Foraging In Terrestrial Herbivores, John M. Fryxell, C. B. D. Fortin, J. Wilmshurst

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Meaningful modeling of the spatial and trophic dynamics of terrestrial herbivores demands understanding of the constraints and fitness objectives that presumably underlie behavior. This is complex in terrestrial herbivores, because of scale-dependent constraints on nutrient or energy gain. Mechanistic processes of forage cropping, forage mastication, movements between feeding stations, and forage digestion each have unique constraints that apply on different time, size, and spatial scales. Moreover, competing activities are rarely taken into account. Experimental testing of foraging objectives is therefore clouded by uncertainty regarding which time scale is most relevant from the animal’s perspective, leading to confusion and misrepresentation in …

Influence Of Sward Height, Concentrate Supplementation And Season On Grazing Activity Of Beef Cows, O. J. Gekara, E. C. Prigge, W. B. Bryan, M. Schettini, E. L. Nestor

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of sward height, concentrate supplementation and season on daily pattern of forage consumption of lactating beef cows grazing cool season pastures was determined. Cows (n=24; BW=535±10.8 kg) were randomly assigned to eight plots maintained at sward heights (SH) of either 4-8 cm or 8-12 cm and fed three levels of concentrate supplement: none = 0 kg/day, low = 3.12 kg/day or high = 6.24 kg/day. Cows on lower SH had greater (P < .08) forage dry matter intake and spent an additional 1.2 hours/day (P < .01) grazing compared to the higher SH. Cows on lower SH consumed 7.7 kg/day of forage dry matter and grazed 9.4 hours/day whereas those on higher SH consumed 7.1 kg/day and grazed 8.2 hours/day. Cows on lower SH grazed 0.7 hours/day (P < .06) and 0.4 hours/day (P < .08) longer at 06:00-10:00 hour and 11:00-13:00 hour, respectively, compared to the higher SH. Grazing efficiency (kg of forage consumed/hour of grazing) decreased (P < .01) as season progressed. Season influenced duration of grazing activity (P < .01). Cows grazed 0.5 hours longer (P < .01) at 06:00-10:00 hour late in summer (August) compared to spring (May) and mid summer (June/July). Cows grazed 0.3 hours longer (P < .08) at 11:00-13:00 hour during spring compared to late summer.

Safflower (Carthamus Tintorius): A Promising Forage Crop For Semi-Arid Regions, Y. Leshem, I. Bruckental, S. Y. Landau, G. Ashbell, Z. Weinberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The yield, quality, preservation and intake of safflower hay were determined in two successive years - 1998 and 1999. Field experiments carried out at the Bet Dagan experimental station on the coastal plain of Israel under rain-fed conditions. A spineless variety was tested under three sowing dates. Yield decreased and quality improved as the sowing date receded from November 12 to February 3. Respective yields, IVDMD and CP content were: 22 and 8 ton DM/ha, 48.9% and 65.5% , 10.0% and 14.6%. Safflower at 290, 410 and 770 g/kg DM was ensiled in 1.5-l anaerobic glass jars with or without …

Effects Of Different Levels Of Energy On Growth Of Grazing And Drylot Fed Holstein Heifers, L. P. Novaes, C. E. Polan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Growth of Holstein heifers were studied to evaluate the combination of a drylot phase followed by feeding energy for pasture supplementation during the grazing season of 1988. Heifers grazed a grass-legume mixture in six paddocks of 1.5 ha each. After drylot, animals were equally allotted to pasture and none or 2.0 kg/d of corn were fed in addition to grazing in a changeover design with repeated measurements. Heifers were fed a high (HE) or low energy (LE) diets in confinement and daily gains were 1190 (HE) and 990 g/day (LE) which were different. On pasture, corn supplementation did not enhance …

Leaf Fragment Identification Of Subtropical Native Grass Species, C. H. E. C. Poli, J. M. Rosito, A. G. Schirmer, P. R. Boggiano, P. C. De F. Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The present study was carried out to characterise leaf fragments of important plant species of a subtropical native sward in the southernmost state of Brazil. Thirteen important grass species were collected from April to May 1999. Both sides of the leaves were observed using a stereomicroscope. In addition, two approaches were tested to provide a clearer characterisation of the leaves of each species: the leaves were either dried or frozen. The kind and number of veins, the kind and number of hair, and the arrangements and number of stomates on both sides of each leaf are the most useful characteristics …

Nitrogen Fertilization In Paspalum Dilatatum, Poir: Herbage Production, Nutritive Value And Structural Characteristics, G. Acosta, V. A. Deregibus

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

It was studied the effect of nitrogen application on structural changes and quantity and quality characteristics of a Paspalum dilatatum Poir sward, under field conditions during two growing seasons. The nitrogen (N) rates were 0 and 440 kg ha^-1 applied during the first year in split applications. The nitrogen fertilization increased leaf, stem and cumulative total dry matter yield, plant height, tiller density, cover ground and leaf crude protein yield.

Association Of Body Composition With Odds Of Breast Cancer By Molecular Subtype: Analysis Of The Mechanisms For Established And Novel Risk Factors For Breast Cancer In Nigerian Women (Mend) Study, Tomi Akinyemiju, Kelley Jones, Anjali Gupta, Taofik Oyekunle, Veeral Saraiya, April Deveaux, Omolola Salako, Allison Hall, Olusegun Alatise, Gabriel Ogun, Adewale Adeniyi, Omobolaji Ayandipo, Thomas Olajide, Olalekan Olasehinde, Olukayode Arowolo, Adewale Adisa, Oludolapo Afuwape, Aralola Olusanya, Aderemi Adegoke, Trygve O. Tollefsbol, Donna K. Arnett, H3 Africa Kidney Research Network, Adetola Daramola

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The association between obesity and breast cancer (BC) has been extensively studied among US, European and Asian study populations, with often conflicting evidence. However, despite the increasing prevalence of obesity and associated conditions in Africa, the continent with the highest age-standardized BC mortality rate globally, few studies have evaluated this association, and none has examined in relation to molecular subtypes among African women. The current analysis examines the association between body composition, defined by body mass index (BMI), height, and weight, and BC by molecular subtype among African women.

METHODS: We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals …

Association Of Manganese Biomarker Concentrations With Blood Pressure And Kidney Parameters Among Healthy Adolescents: Nhanes 2013–2018, Maria D. Politis, Jacob C. Freedman, Erin N. Haynes, Alison P. Sanders

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Deficiency or excess exposure to manganese (Mn), an essential mineral, may have potentially adverse health effects. The kidneys are a major organ of Mn site-specific toxicity because of their unique role in filtration, metabolism, and excretion of xenobiotics. We hypothesized that Mn concentrations were associated with poorer blood pressure (BP) and kidney parameters such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and albumin creatinine ratio (ACR). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1931 healthy U.S. adolescents aged 12–19 years participating in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2013–2014, 2015–2016, and 2017–2018. Blood and urine Mn concentrations …

Occurrence Of Potentially Zoonotic And Cephalosporin Resistant Enteric Bacteria Among Shelter Dogs In The Central And South-Central Appalachia, Ashutosh Verma, Kimberly Carney, Marina Taylor, Kaitlyn Amsler, Joey Morgan, Karen Gruszynski, Erdal Erol, Craig N. Carter, Stephan Locke, Ashton Callipare, Devendra H. Shah

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance and presence of zoonotic enteropathogens in shelter dogs pose a public health risk to shelter workers and potential adopters alike. In this study we investigated the prevalence of zoonotic bacterial pathogens and cephalosporin resistant (Cef^R) enteric bacteria in the feces of apparently healthy shelter dogs in the Cumberland Gap Region (CGR) in the US states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

RESULTS: Fecal samples of 59 dogs from 10 shelters in the CGR of Central and South-Central Appalachia were screened for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella and Cef^R enteric bacteria. C. …

Using On-Farm Monitoring Of Ergovaline And Tall Fescue Composition For Horse Pasture Management, Krista Lea, S. Ray Smith

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Central Kentucky horse pastures contain significant populations of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort) infected with an endophyte (Epichloë coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Bacon and Schardl) known to produce several ergot alkaloids, with ergovaline in the highest concentration. While most classes of horses are not adversely affected by average levels of ergovaline in pastures, late term pregnant mares have a low tolerance to ergovaline and the related ergot alkaloids. Endophyte-infected tall fescue has been known to cause prolonged gestation, thickened placenta, dystocia, agalactia, and foal and mare mortality. The University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program utilizes ergovaline …