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ACCESSION NO: 1005663 [Full Record]
PROJ NO: SC-2014-05029 AGENCY: NIFA SC.
PROJ TYPE: AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT PROJ STATUS: TERMINATED
CONTRACT/GRANT/AGREEMENT NO: 2015-67015-23218 PROPOSAL NO: 2014-05029
START: 01 APR 2015 TERM: 31 MAR 2019 FY: 2019
GRANT AMT: $450,500 GRANT YR: 2015
AWARD TOTAL: $450,500
INITIAL AWARD YEAR: 2015
INVESTIGATOR: Duckett, S.
PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA 29634
IMPACT OF FESCUE TOXICOSIS ON FETAL DEVELOPMENT AND POSTNATAL GROWTH
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Tall fescue is the primary cool season perennial grass utilized in the eastern US and the majority of tall fescue contains an endophyte, which produces compounds (ergot alkaloids) toxic to grazing livestock but beneficial to the plant. Tall fescue toxicosis is a major forage and livestock issue that seriously impacts animal production causing over $1 billion in production losses. Our hypothesis is that exposure to these toxins during gestation reduces fetal growth and subsequent postnatal growth of the offspring. We will conduct two main experiments that will: 1) determine how exposure to these toxins at specific times of gestation alter fetal growth and development, and 2) examine the impact of these toxins on fetal growth, lactation, and subsequent postnatal growth. The completion of this research will allow us to establish when tall fescue
exposure is most critical to fetal growth and development. The results will be used to develop alternative management strategies for ruminants that can decrease the impact of tall fescue on fetal growth and increase lifetime production efficiency.
OBJECTIVES: The long-term goal of this research is to develop a greater understanding of the in utero effects of ergot alkaloids in order to mitigate their impact on ruminant animal production efficiency and quality.
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