Liver disease in cattle induced by consumption of moldy hay

Normally innocuous forages are sporadically associated with hepatogenous photosensitization outbreaks at certain times of the year or when grown and harvested during unusual environmental conditions, such as periods of excessive rainfall. Allegations of livestock illness following consumption of such moldy hays are associated with clinical syndromes uncharacteristic of known forage-related diseases, suggesting that unidentified toxin(s) may be responsible. This study was instigated by field observations of hepatogenous photosensitization in cattle fed alfalfa-grass forage. To document the toxic nature of the hay, large bales of hay (450 kg) were fed, ad libitum, to 3 groups of 2 calves each. Elevated serum liver enzymes provided evidence of hepatobiliary disease. Gamma glutamyl transferase activities in serums of the calves sustained at least a 10-fold increase above baseline during the feeding trials. Histologic examination of liver biopsies and postmortem sections revealed mild periportal fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia. Culture material from 12 fungal isolates from the hay failed to induce liver disease in calves.