Grass staggers

Magnesium deficiency, usually the result of decreased absorption or excessive excretion, results in neuromuscular weakness and ultimately convulsions. Dietary deficiency in catde is known as the grass staggers. Magnesium toxicity from impaired excretion or excessive consumption of antacids results in vomiting, hypertension, and central nervous systems effects. Inhalation of magnesium oxide from welding can cause metal fume fever similar to that from zinc. 

May delay ripening too much may cause magnesium deficiency in finit and glasshouse crops and grass-staggers in grazing animals... 

Sodium (in compound form) is sometimes applied to grazed swards in an attempt to improve palatability and intake. Sodium application can also reduce the risk from grass staggers in some situations. 

Excessive potash applications on grazing fields can give rise to hypomagnesaemia (grass staggers). Except in the case of serious potash deficiency, applications to grazing areas should be made in the June/July period. 

Excess selenium intake can occur in both animals and humans living in areas with elevated selenium in the soil. Most grass and grains do not accumulate selenium, but when an animal consumes plants that do accumulate selenium (some up to 10,000 mg/kg) they can develop a condition called the blind staggers . Symptoms include depressed appetite, impaired vision, and staggering in circles and can ultimately lead to paralysis and death. Humans are susceptible to similar effects as well as additional neurological effects. Selenium deficiency results in heart disorders, skeletal muscle effects, and liver damage. 

A report that sheep fed on a perennial grass, Phalaris tuberosa L., developed a condition known as staggers led to the investigation of a related species, P. arundinacea L., and the subsequent isolation from it of 5-methoxy-A-methyltryptamine (XVIII R = H) (116). 5-Methoxy-iV.A-dimethyltryptamine (XVIII R = Me) also occurs naturally, and has been isolated from Dictyoloma incane-scens DC. (40). Both bases have recently been shown to be present in the bark of Piptadenia peregrina Benth. (73a). 

Tryptamine and its simple derivatives (117) are of interest mainly as hallucinogens, although the Australian grass PAaZaris tuberosa, the cause of Phalaris staggers in sheep, contains iV,A -dimethyltryptamine and its... 

Ryegrass Loliuw perenne) An endophytic fungus in the grass produces the toxin lolitrem B, which is associated with chaises in GABA neurotransmitter Tremors and alaxia ( staggers ), weakness in cattle she, and horses... 

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