Abstract
Young merino ewes were offered a pelleted ration containing approx 15% perennial ryegrass seed, either infected or not infected with wild endophyte. Each group was split so that 10 ewes received the toxin deactivation product, Elitox®. Groups were fed indoors on treatment for 4 weeks in winter (average daily temperature, 11.5ºC). Analysis for endophyte toxins indicated intakes of 63 μg/kg LW/day ergovaline and 23 μg/kg LW/day lolitrem B. Increases in respiration rate and rectal temperature were obvious after 1 week. Respiration rate more than doubled for ewes ingesting toxin-containing wild endophyte. Differences were greater with observations taken at 9 pm, compared with those taken at 9 am. The intake and liveweight gain of ewes ingesting endophyte increased relative to those on the endophyte-free diet. Administration of Elitox®, resulted in a significant interaction: respiration rate and intake increased in the absence of endophyte, but decreased in its presence. Keywords: Merino sheep, perennial ryegrass, lolitrem B, ergovaline, Elitox®, intake, respiration rate, faecal moisture
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