What does it mean if a horse is gaited?

What is the origin of the ergot?

Ergot comes from the French word for rooster’s spur. Like the chestnut, the ergot is thought to be a vestige of some part of the ancestral foot of the multi-toed Equidae, the ergot corresponding to the sole pad of other extant members of Perissodactyla, such as the tapir and rhinoceros.

Where is ergot found in sorghum?

Sorghum ergot caused by Claviceps africana Frederickson, Mantle and De Milliano is widespread in all sorghum growing areas, whereas the species was formerly restricted to Africa and Asia where it was first recorded more than 90 years ago, it has been spreading rapidly and by the mid-1990s it reached Brazil, South Africa, and Australia.

What does ergot do to cattle?

Sorghum ergot reduced the ability of cattle to shed heat, which in turn reduced feed intake and growth. Experiments indicated that this was worse in warm conditions with high humidity. While 0.3% ergot was tolerated in winter, in summer the limit tolerated was less.

What is ergot sclerotium?

This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals who consume grains contaminated with its fruiting structure (called ergot sclerotium ). Claviceps includes about 50 known species, mostly in the tropical regions.

What is ergot alkaloid?

Ergot is the common name of fungus Claviceps purpurea, which produces ergot alkaloids. C. purpurea is a common preharvest grain fungus that grows on rye and cereals. Ergot alkaloids are also produced by some strains of Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Penicillium sp. ( Flieger et al., 1997 ).

Where do ergot alkaloids come from?

The fungi of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus also produce ergot alkaloids, notably some isolates of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, and have been isolated from plants in the family Convolvulaceae, of which morning glory is best known.

What is the mechanism of action of ergot alkaloids?

Mechanism of action Ergot alkaloids have structures similar to the biogenic amines norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Vasoconstriction is produced by an agonist activity and this effect varies with different vascular beds. Hyperthermia and uterine stimulation are other effects.

Are ergot alkaloids harmful to animals?

The ergot bodies contain several toxic chemicals produced by the fungus, called ergot alkaloids. The effects of these chemicals on animals can vary widely and cause problems systemically as well as with the extremities of the animal.

What are ergopeptine alkaloids and how do they work?

Ergopeptine alkaloids are potent D 2 -dopamine receptor agonists which decrease prolactin secretion by the anterior pituitary ( Evans et al., 2004 ), and the most sensitive indicator of ergopeptine alkaloid exposure in animals is hypoprolactinemia.

Which alkaloids are used in the treatment of ergotism?

Ergotamine, ergocristine, ergocornine, ergosine, ergocryptine, and ergovaline are among the alkaloids responsible for the clinical effects characteristic of ergotism ( Evans et al., 2004 ).

What is the difference between ergot alkaloid and isoergine?

Bromocriptine is a long-acting dopamine agonist that has central stimulating effects and may cause hypotension. Another ergot alkaloid, isoergine (lysergic acid amide), has one tenth the mind-altering potency of the structurally related compound lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

What is ergotism and how is it caused?

Ergotism refers to the disease conditions associated with ingestion of toxic levels of ergot by animals and humans. Ergot contaminated rye ( Secale cereale) used as flour was responsible for episodes of human ergotism in Europe during the Middle Ages.

What are the contraindications for ergot alkaloids?

Ergot alkaloids are used only after birth for postpartum uterine hypotonia. They are contraindicated during pregnancy. Accidental use during the first trimester does not automatically require termination of the pregnancy. Detailed ultrasound scanning can exclude morphologic developmental disorders.

What are ergots good for?

These plants have spun their way into the medicine cabinets of several South American tribes for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhag- ing, as an abortifacient, as a general hemostatic agent, and for modifying the menstrual cycle. Ergots again are the prime candidates. There is a final intimate marriage between grasses, staggers and the ergots.

What are the sites of ergot alkaloid absorption?

The rumen and small intestine are most likely the principal sites of ergot alkaloid uptake, which, depending on pH, animal species, and physiological state, can involve both passive and active processes. Strickland et al., 2011) reported that most of the gastrointestinal absorption of the ergopeptine alkaloids takes place in the small intestine.

What are the best sources of ergot alkaloids?

Many species of Ipomoea, Rivea, and Argyreia are superb sources of ergot alkaloids that can be converted to lysergic acid as a synthetic intermediate, or are psychopharmacological active as lysergamides in their own rights. There is a short, but rich chapter called MGS devoted to just to the seeds of these plants.

How is ergotism treated in animal species?

As in fescue toxicosis, the key to successful treatment of ergotism in animal species is the early recognition of the clinical signs. Ergotism is rare in human populations but most likely is underdiagnosed in animals. The most logical approach to managing ergotism is the removal of animals from the source of ergopeptine alkaloids.

What are ergots and ergotoxins?

Ergots contain alkaloid compounds and other pharmacologically active compounds known as ergotoxins. The effects of this group of toxins, which includes ergotamine, ergotoxine, and ergometrine, include constriction of arterioles and endothelial damage leading to gangrene of the extremities.

What percentage of ergot is harmful to plants?

In general, 0.5% ergot in the ration has resulted in poor-doers, and rates between 0.3% and 1.0% of the ration resulted in gangrenous ergotism when fed for several weeks. Because of the variability in toxic levels in affected plants, it may be useful to have feedstuffs analyzed for ergot alkaloids.

What is ergot and what causes it?

This includes grains like rye, wheat, oat, rice, corn and barley. Ergot, is a disease of cereal crops and grasses and is caused by fungi of the Clavicep s genus. The word ergot is derived from the old French word for the cockerel’s spur “argot”. Claviceps includes about 50 known species, mostly in the tropical regions.

What tests are used to diagnose ergot alkaloids?

Standard tests such as a biochemical profile, complete blood count, and urinalysis will help to uncover any concurrent infections or imbalances, but at this time there are no accurate tests for ergot alkaloids in the blood or tissues.

What is the structure of ergotamine?

The ergot sclerotium contains high concentrations (up to 2% of dry mass) of the alkaloid ergotamine, a complex molecule consisting of a tripeptide-derived cyclol-lactam ring connected via amide linkage to a lysergic acid (ergoline) moiety, and other alkaloids of the ergoline group that are biosynthesized by the fungus.

What happens if a horse gets Rhodococcus equi?

In more severe cases, it can cause hemorrhagic pneumonia, liver and kidney failure and can lead to death. Rhodococcus equi is a bacterium that causes pneumonia in foals and is found in manure and contaminated soil around horse facilities.

Is it possible to develop individual treatment opportunities for equine diseases?

Similar to the current trends in human medicine it might be possible to develop individual treatment opportunities for certain kinds of equine diseases which were marked through a certain and distinct pattern of microbial composition like equine grass sickness, laminitis or colitis.

What causes ergot bodies in grass?

Ergot bodies result from infection of the grain by a fungus called Claviceps purpurea. Claviceps grows well in warm weather and infects over 200 species of grasses throughout the country.

What does ergot do to grasses?

Ergot affects wild and cultivated grasses, as well as small grain crops such as wheat, oats, barley and especially rye. The ergot pathogen produces alkaloid toxins, many of which reduce blood flow in animals (e.g., cattle, sheep, swine, horses and even humans) that eat ergot-contaminated grain.