Temporal effects of fescue toxicosis and heat stress on rat physiology and hepatic gene expression

Abstract

Fescue toxicosis results from intake of toxins in fescue containing an endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium coenophialum. Time-related changes in rats associated with intake of an endophyte-infected fescue diet (E+) were evaluated under thermoneutral (TN), and both short- and long-term heat stress (HS) conditions. Short-term E+ intake decreased feed intake and growth rate under both conditions, whereas rats exhibited signs of adaptation during long-term exposure with better recovery occurring under TN conditions. Rats fed an E+ diet did not change core temperature during TN, but under HS conditions they exhibited a short-term increase in core temperature above control level. However, there was adaptive return of this temperature to TN level with long-term exposure. Short-term E+ intake at TN decreased serum glucose, urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, and cholesterol; whereas long-term E+ intake under these conditions resulted in complete adaptation. In contrast, short-term E+ intake at HS did not affect serum biochemistry, while long-term intake decreased all the above mentioned serum parameters. Serum prolactin level was decreased during both short- or long-term TN and HS conditions. The E+ diet decreased hepatic antioxidant gene expression, with even greater reduction as a result of HS. Long-term E+ intake and HS increased expression of cytochrome P450 and detoxification pathways, respectively. Genes associated with immune response increased with long-term E+ at TN, but decreased with E+ diet at HS. Similarly, genes coding for chaperone and DNA repair decreased with long-term E+ at TN, but increased with E+ and HS. Recovery observed in E+ rats at TN could be attributed to increased gene expression for detoxification and immune response, whereas decreased antioxidant and immune response associated genes could contribute to distress associated with E+ at HS. Fescue toxicosis results from intake of toxins in fescue containing an endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium coenophialum. Time-related changes in rats associated with intake of an endophyte-infected fescue diet (E+) were evaluated under thermoneutral (TN), and both short- and long-term heat stress (HS) conditions. Short-term E+ intake decreased feed intake and growth rate under both conditions, whereas rats exhibited signs of adaptation during long-term exposure with better recovery occurring under TN conditions. Rats fed an E+ diet did not change core temperature during TN, but under HS conditions they exhibited a short-term increase in core temperature above control level. However, there was adaptive return of this temperature to TN level with long-term exposure. Short-term E+ intake at TN decreased serum glucose, urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, and cholesterol; whereas long-term E+ intake under these conditions resulted in complete adaptation. In contrast, short-term E+ intake at HS did not affect serum biochemistry, while long-term intake decreased all the above mentioned serum parameters. Serum prolactin level was decreased during both short- or long-term TN and HS conditions. The E+ diet decreased hepatic antioxidant gene expression, with even greater reduction as a result of HS. Long-term E+ intake and HS increased expression of cytochrome P450 and detoxification pathways, respectively. Genes associated with immune response increased with long-term E+ at TN, but decreased with E+ diet at HS. Similarly, genes coding for chaperone and DNA repair decreased with long-term E+ at TN, but increased with E+ and HS. Recovery observed in E+ rats at TN could be attributed to increased gene expression for detoxification and immune response, whereas decreased antioxidant and immune response associated genes could contribute to distress associated with E+ at HS.