Indole-diterpenes alkaloid profiles of native grasses involved in tremorgenic syndromes in the Argentine Patagonia

Authors: ZABALETA, G - Instituto Nacional Tecnologia Agropecuaria; Lee, Stephen; Cook, Daniel; AGUILAR, M - Instituto Nacional Tecnologia Agropecuaria; IANNONE, L - Instituto Nacional Tecnologia Agropecuaria; ROBLES, C - Universidad De Buenos Aires; MARTINEZ, A - Instituto Nacional Tecnologia Agropecuaria

Submitted to: Toxicon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2022
Publication Date: 8/15/2022
Citation: Zabaleta, G., Lee, S.T., Cook, D., Aguilar, M., Iannone, L.J., Robles, C., Martinez, A. 2022. Indole-diterpenes alkaloid profiles of native grasses involved in tremorgenic syndromes in the Argentine Patagonia. Toxicon. 217:107-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.08.001.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.08.001

Interpretive Summary: One of the main intoxications to livestock in the Patagonia region of Argentina is the tremorgenic disease "Mal de Huecú", attributed to the consumption of the native grasses Poa huecu and/or Festuca argentina. In this report, five outbreaks of spontaneous intoxications were investigated, and indole-diterpene alkaloids including the known tremorgen, terpendole C, were detected. This case report provides evidence of the toxic principles associated with the "Mal de Huecú" disease.

Technical Abstract: One of the main intoxications to livestock in the Patagonia region of Argentina is the tremorgenic disease "Mal de Huecú", attributed to the consumption of the native grasses Poa huecu and/or Festuca argentina. In this report, five outbreaks of spontaneous intoxications were investigated, and indole-diterpene alkaloids including the known tremorgen, terpendole C, were detected. This case report provides evidence of the toxic principles associated with the "Mal de Huecú" disease.