@article{brown_haimon_poole_poore_poole_2020, title={Changes in Cytokine Profiles in Response to Ergovaline Exposure in Slick vs. Normal Hair Coat in Beef Heifers.}, volume={98}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz397.091}, abstractNote={Abstract
               Fescue toxicosis is a syndrome common in cattle grazing fescue containing an endophyte that produces ergot alkaloids. Our lab has previously demonstrated that chronic exposure of ergot alkaloids adversely effects innate immune response. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine changes in cytokine profiles in heat tolerant heifers exposed to ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected fescue compared to wildtype controls. Angus X Senepol heifers were blocked by weight and hair coat genotype, Slick (S) or Normal (N) then randomly fed novel endophyte fescue (EN) or endophyte-infected fescue (EI) haylage in a total mixed ration for 63d (n=5 per group). Weekly measurements were collected to monitor physiological responses during exposure to ergot alkaloids. Blood samples were collected for cytokine analysis on d 0, 14, 28 and 56. Cytokine concentrations were quantified using Quantibody® Bovine Cytokine Arrays. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Statistical significance was determined at P< 0.05 and a tendency at 0.05< P< 0.10. Concentrations of TNF were greater in EN-S heifers (6.57 ng/ml) compared to other heifer groups (P< 0.05; 1.33, 2.34, 3.15 ng/ml for EN-N, EI-S, and EI-N, respectively). Concentrations of IL21 were greater in EN-S heifers (8.15 ng/ml) compared to other heifer groups (P< 0.05; 1.55, 3.43, 3.26 ng/ml for EN-N, EI-S, and EI-N, respectively). Concentrations of IFNA (P=0.0543), IFNG (P=0.0558), IL1F1 (P=0.0587), and IL1F5 (P=0.0738) tended to be greater in in EN-S heifers compared to other heifer groups. Interestingly, concentrations of chemokine CCL4 (953.5 vs. 183.7 pg/mL) and CXCL9 (2.57 vs. 0.69 ng/mL) were significantly greater in S heifers than N heifers (P< 0.05). No differences were observed for IL13 and CXCL10 (P >0.05). In contrast to previous data, exposure to ergovaline via endophyte-infected fescue, did not induce an innate immune response. Rather, cytokine concentrations were elevated in heifers with the slick hair genotype. Overall, developing a better understanding of the interaction between ergot alkaloids and the slick hair genotype will help to improve cattle health management.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Brown, Alecia R. and Haimon, McKenzie L. and Poole, Rebecca and Poore, Matt H. and Poole, Daniel H.}, year={2020}, month={Nov}, pages={40–40} }
 @article{haimon_brown_poore_poole_2020, title={In Utero Exposure of Ergot Alkaloids does not Impact Heifer Growth and Reproductive Performance.}, volume={98}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz397.101}, abstractNote={Abstract
               In utero exposure to toxins can alter fetal development and postnatal performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of in utero exposure of ergot alkaloids via endophyte-infected (EI) fescue diets during gestation on heifer growth, onset of puberty, ovarian characteristics and AI pregnancy rates. Pregnant Angus and SimAngus cows grazed either endophyte-free (EF) or EI pastures on d90-180 of gestation. Assessment of puberty of heifer (n = 40) via measurement of BW, BCS, reproductive tract scores (RTS), pelvic area (PA) and weekly blood sample for progesterone (P4) analysis started at 10 mo of age. At 14 mos of age, all heifers were synchronized using the CoSynch+7d CIDR protocol and inseminated to examine reproductive measurements, follicle mapping and AI pregnancy rate. Data were analyzed using a MIXED procedure of SAS and examined for effects of EI, sire, and age. Statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05 and a tendency at 0.05 < P < 0.10. In utero exposure to EI did not affect ADG, BW, or BCS (P > 0.05) however, there was a sire by treatment interaction for ADG during onset of puberty (P < 0.05). While EI did not affect PA or RTS (P > 0.05), sire significantly influenced RTS and PA (P < 0.05) thus impacting of onset of puberty. Based on P4 concentrations, only 55% of all heifers were cyclic by 14 months of age and there was a sire by treatment interaction for onset of puberty (P < 0.05). No differences were observes in AI pregnancy rate between heifer groups (EF 39.5±7; EI, 43.7±7; P >0.05). While EI did not affect follicle counts or luteal area (P > 0.05), sire significantly influenced the percentage of preselected (2-4mm) and selected (>9mm), but not transitional (5-8mm), ovarian follicles at breeding age (P < 0.05). While consumption of EI fescue during gestation impacts cow performance and onset of puberty in heifers, it has minimal effect on heifer growth and reproductive development and performance.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Haimon, McKenzie L. and Brown, Alecia R. and Poore, Matt H. and Poole, Daniel H.}, year={2020}, month={Nov}, pages={44–44} }
 @article{brown_poole_jackson_poore_pickworth_poole_2019, title={111 Changes in proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in beef steers chronically exposed to endophyte-infected tall fescue seed}, volume={97}, ISSN={0021-8812 1525-3163}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz053.095}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz053.095}, abstractNote={Abstract
               Endophyte-infected tall fescue consumption adversely effects health and immune response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of protein supplementation on cytokine response in steers consuming ergovaline, found in endophyte-infected tall fescue. Thirty-two beef steers were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) and randomly assigned to receive one of four treatments for 56 days: endophyte-free seed (0 ug/kg ergovaline) with either 18% (EF-18; n = 8) or 14% dietary protein (EF-14; n = 8) and endophyte-infected seed (500 ug/ kg ergovaline) with 18% (EI-18; n = 8) or 14% dietary protein (EI-14; n = 8). Blood samples were collected for cytokine analysis on d 28 and d 42 of the feeding period representing when steers vaccinated and boostered for bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) types 1 and 2 and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR). Cytokine concentrations were evaluated using Quantibody Bovine Cytokine Arrays. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Statistical significance was determined at P0.05). Interestingly, concentrations of cytokines, IL13 (912±148 vs. 410.9±135 pg/mL) and IL21 (1636.0±295 vs. 629±305 pg/mL), which are involved in chronic inflammatory process were greater (P < 0.05) in EI steer compared to EF steers on d 28 and d 42. Concentrations of chemokine CCL4 and proinflammatory cytokines IFNG and IL-1alpha tended to be greater in EI steers compared to EF steers (P < 0.10). Overall, these data demonstrate that consumption of ergovaline increased proinflammatory cytokines and induced a chronic immune response. Developing a better understanding of overall immunity in cattle exposed to endophyte-infected tall fescue is fundamental to improve cattle health within the beef industry.}, number={Supplement_1}, journal={Journal of Animal Science}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Brown, Alecia R and Poole, Rebecca K and Jackson, McKenzie Lane and Poore, Matthew H and Pickworth, Carrie L and Poole, Daniel H}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={42–43} }
 @article{poole_brown_poore_pickworth_poole_2019, title={Effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed and protein supplementation on stocker steers: II. Adaptive and innate immune function}, volume={97}, ISSN={0021-8812 1525-3163}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz250}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz250}, abstractNote={AbstractFescue toxicosis is a multifaceted syndrome common in cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue that affects performance; however, little information is available pertaining to its effects on immunity. Recently, it has been shown that supplemental CP can improve performance in weaned steers postvaccination. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental CP on innate and adaptive immune responses in stocker steers chronically exposed to ergovaline. Angus steers (n = 12 pens; 3 steers/pen) were stratified by weight and assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to examine crude protein levels of supplement (14% or 18%) and ergovaline exposure (0 or 185 μg ergovaline/kg BW/d via ground endophyte-free (EF) or endophyte-infected (EI) tall fescue seed, respectively) on immune response. Consumption of low to moderate concentration of ergovaline from EI tall fescue seed was sufficient to induce mild symptoms associated with fescue toxicosis. Blood samples were collected at day 0, 42, and 56 to evaluate infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) type 1b titers following vaccine challenge. Additionally, serum cytokine concentrations were evaluated using Quantibody Bovine Cytokine Arrays on day 0, 28, and 42. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Regardless of treatment, no differences were observed in IBR and BVDV-1b seroconversion following vaccine challenge (P > 0.05). Regardless of crude protein concentration, EI steers had greater concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1α), chemokines (CCL2, CCL4, MIG), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, -13, -15, -21), and various growth factors (FGF-1, IGF-1, VEGF-A) when compared to EF steers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, VEGF-A and IGF-1 concentrations were greater in EI-14 steers on day 28 compared to EI-18, EF-14, and EF-18 steers (P < 0.05), however, this difference was not observed on day 0 or 42 (P > 0.05). Based on these data, steers exposed to ergovaline have an increase in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and supplemental CP had minimal impact to mitigate this response. However, in the current study, exposure to ergovaline had little to no effect on adaptive immunity and response to vaccination. Together, chronic exposure to ergovaline results in a hyperactive innate immune response, which may lead to an immuno-compromised animal.}, number={10}, journal={Journal of Animal Science}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Poole, Rebecca K and Brown, Alecia R and Poore, Matthew H and Pickworth, Carrie L and Poole, Daniel H}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={4160–4170} }
 @article{jackson_newsome_brown_poole_dudley_poore_poole_2019, title={Long term impact of ergot alkaloids on fetal heifer development and subsequent growth and reproductive performance.}, volume={97}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz053.103}, abstractNote={Abstract
               Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated physiological differences in mid-gestation cows grazing either endophyte-infected (EI) or endophyte-free (EF) tall fescue. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of in utero exposure (TRT) of either EI or EF on heifer growth, reproductive tract development and onset of puberty. Pregnant Angus and SimAngus cows were blocked by age, BW, and breed; and then randomly assigned to graze either EF (n = 27) or EI (n = 27) pastures. At parturition, heifer birthweight was recorded and placental tissues were collected to assess placental characteristics. Heifer BW, height, frame score were recorded at weaning. Assessment of puberty via measurement of BW, BCS, reproductive tract scores (RTS) and pelvic area (PA) started at 10 mo of age. Data were analyzed using a MIXED procedure of SAS and examined for effects of TRT, sire, and age. Statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05 and a tendency at 0.05); however, there was a sire by treatment interaction for ADG during onset of puberty (P < 0.05). While TRT did not affect PA or RTS (P > 0.05) at 10 mo of age, sire significantly influenced RTS (P < 0.05) thus impacting of onset of puberty. While consumption of EI fescue impacts cow performance, calf birthweight, and ratio of cotyledon to placenta weight, it has minimal effect on postnatal growth and development through 10 mo of age. Further studies are needed to determine the impact on heifer reproductive performance.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Jackson, McKenzie Lane and Newsome, McKayla A. and Brown, Alecia R. and Poole, Rebecca K. and Dudley, Harrison B. and Poore, Matthew H. and Poole, Daniel H.}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={46–46} }