Toxicity study of fusarium xylarioides infected groundnut hay in calves

Toxicity study of groundnut hay infected with Fusarium xylarioides was conducted in calves. The fungi was isolated from the contaminated groundnut hay which caused mycotoxicosis in cattle which exhibited the clinical signs of colic, tenesmus, ruminal atony, anorexia, bleeding from nostrils, rectum and fly bite site. The calves were fed with fungal infected groundnut hay at the dose level of 50, 75 and 100 g/kg daily for 7 days along with normal fodder. Clinical signs observed were diarrhea, weakness, severe arching of back, swollen forehead and conjunctival hemorrhage. Cutaneous hemorrhagic patches on back, scrotum and abdomen region were seen. The calves lost balance on hind and forelimbs. There was a significant increase (P <0.05) in serum concentrations of creatinine, urea nitrogen, A LT and AST indicated the renal and hepatic damage respectively, which was further confirmed by histopathological lesions. There were lesions in heart, brain and GI tract of the treated calves. The present study indicated the toxic feature of Fusarium xylarioides infected ground nut hay in calves.