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

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hermes, J. C. Articles by Craig, A. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hermes, J. C. Articles by Craig, A. M.

Effect of Feeding Endophyte-Infected Feed and Bedding on the Performance of Broilers

J. C. Hermes^*, H. S. Nakaue^* and A. M. Craig

^* Department of Animal Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331

Correspondence: J. C. Hermes, E-mail: James.Hermes{at}orst.edu

Two varieties of chopped grass seed straw, tall fescue (Festuca arundinaces L. ) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ), were identified as alternative sources to wood sawdust or shavings as bedding for use by Pacific Northwest broiler producers. However, some broiler growers expressed concern that straw may be contaminated with endophytes, symbiotic fungi that are known to be toxic to livestock. The primary toxic compound of concern for livestock in endophyte infected grass straw is ergovaline.

Two experiments were conducted to determine if broiler performance was affected by either the feeding of endophyte infected grass seed containing ergovaline, or rearing broilers on endophyte infected grass seed straw. The exposure of broilers to either endophyte-infected chopped straw as bedding and/or feeding endophyte infected ground grass seed in the diet with ergovaline levels as high as 423 ppb, did not significantly affect performance or the micro anatomy of kidney or liver tissues.

Key Words: broiler performance • endophyte • ergovaline