HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Settivari, R. S. Articles by Spiers, D. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Settivari, R. S. Articles by Spiers, D. E.

Genomic analysis of the impact of fescue toxicosis on hepatic function¹

R. S. Settivari^*, S. Bhusari^*, T. Evans, P. A. Eichen^*, L. B. Hearne, E. Antoniou^* and D. E. Spiers^*,2

^* Division of Animal Sciences, and Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, and and Department of Statistics, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211

² Corresponding author: spiersd{at}missouri.edu

Fescue toxicosis is caused by consumption of toxins produced by an endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium coenophialum, in tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh]. Microarray analysis was used to identify shifts in genetic expression associated with the affected physiological processes to identify potential targets for future pharmacological/toxicological intervention. Male rats (n = 24) were implanted with temperature transmitters, which measure core temperature every 5 min. After an 8-d recovery, the rats were fed an endophyte-free diet for 5 d. During the following 5-d treatment period, rats were fed either an endophyte-free or an endophyte-infected (91.5 µg of ergovaline·kg of BW^–1·d^–1) diet. At the end of treatment, rats were euthanized and a sample of the liver was obtained. Feed conversion efficiency was calculated for both treatment groups. Serum prolactin concentrations were measured using ELISA. Liver tissue RNA was reverse transcribed and hybridized to an oligonucleotide microarray chip. Microarray data were analyzed using a 2-step ANOVA model and validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Significant reductions in mean core temperature, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, BW, liver weight per unit of BW, and serum prolactin concentrations were observed in endophyte-infected rats. There was downregulation (P < 0.05) of various genes associated with energy metabolism, growth and development, and antioxidant protection, as well as an upregulation of genes associated with gluconeogenesis, detoxification, and biotransformation. This study demonstrated that even short-term exposure of rats to tall fescue endophytic toxins under thermoneutral conditions can result in physiological responses associated with altered gene expression within the liver.

Key Words: endophytic toxins • fescue toxicosis • genomic • liver • rat • thermoregulation

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. C. Burke, G. Scaglia, K. E. Saker, D. J. Blodgett, and W. S. Swecker Jr Influence of endophyte consumption and heat stress on intravaginal temperatures, plasma lipid oxidation, blood selenium, and glutathione redox of mononuclear cells in heifers grazing tall fescue J Anim Sci, November 1, 2007; 85(11): 2932 - 2940. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Bhusari, Z. Liu, L. B. Hearne, D. E. Spiers, W. R. Lamberson, and E. Antoniou Expression Profiling of Heat Stress Effects on Mice Fed Ergot Alkaloids Toxicol. Sci., January 1, 2007; 95(1): 89 - 97. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]