Animals consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue exhibit reduced weight gain and feed intake, with the most severe effects occurring during summer months. Heat stress and plane of nutrition have independent effects on metabolic activity (Birkelo et al, 1991; O'Brien et al, 2010) while, ergot alkaloids reduce blood flow to and nutrient absorption from the rumen (Foote et al, 2012). This research was designed to separate the effects of alkaloid consumption from those of reduced intake and environmental temperature.
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