Weanling Meadow Vole Responses to Crownvetch Forage¹

Abstract

Crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) has been reported to contain antiquality constituents. Feeding trials were conducted to determine the feasibility of using the weanling meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) as a bioassay to assess the effects of these antiquality constituents on feed intake, body‐weight change, and ration digestibility. The feeding value of crownvetch forage was compared with that of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.) incorporated at 15% dry weight into a nutritionally adequate and balanced diet. Voles had lower intake and lost weight when fed crownvetch than when fed the other legume forages. No relationship existed between intake or weight loss and apparent digestibility. However, not all crownvetch forages resulted in lower intake and weight loss, and samples differed in their capacity to cause adverse vole responses from year to year. Voles also differed in their responses to forage fed from individual plants of the ‘Chemung’ cultivar. Low intake appeared to be the primary reason for the weight loss and death which occurred on many samples. The information presented indicates the presence of an antiquality constituent(s) in crownvetch forage that should be thoroughly investigated for its effects upon other animal species, especially rapidly growing monogastrics.

Response of broiler chickens to the dietary inclusion of <i>Chromolaena odorata</i> leaf meal

“…Regression of feed intake against level of COLM in the diet yielded the equation: Y (feed intake) = 3.98-0.013x (r =-0.97; PO.01) where x is the level of COLM in the diet. The results obtained in this study with respect to feed intake is in agreement with that of phenolic-related studies by Barnes et al (1974), Shenk et al (1974) and Jung and Fahey (1983). Chemical analyses of the leaves of Chromolaena odorata in the present study and that of Apori et al (2000) indicate that it contains tannins.…”

“…Phenolic compounds, including tannins, reportedly affect feed intake because of unpalatability. A study by Shenk et al (1974) indicated that meadow voles ingested less feed with as little as 15% phenolic-containing crownvetch in the diet. Prior extraction of crownvetch with ethanol removed the factor responsible for reduced intake by voles .…”

Orchard Groundcover Management Systems Affect Meadow Vole Populations and Damage to Apple Trees

“…Despite previous reports that crownvetch was toxic to meadow voles in caged feeding studies (Lewis et al, 1983;Shenck et al, 1974), we observed foraging on crownvetch leaves (but not stems) by voles in this GMS. The densely matted crownvetch also supported substantial vole populations, and its long procumbent stems provided bridges for voles to climb over and inside the mesh guards, gaining access to feed on tree trunks.…”

Iodine-131 in Thyroids of the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in the Vicinity of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Plant

“…Voles adequately sample local habitats because they consume a variety of vegetation equivalent to one third of their body weight each day. Moreover, the vole is used as a model herbivore (Sh76;Sh75;Sh74). The abundance of voles enables one to destructively sample thyroid glands relatively easily and at little expense.…”

“…is used extensively as a model organism for studying population dynamics (Kr74), nutrition (Ke78; Sh76;Sh75;Barn74,Br74;Sh74;Sh70), and bioaccumulation (Wi78; Ge77) because of its position in the terrestrial food chain, widespread distribution, abundance, small size, and limited home range (Am69; Va69). These attributes also make the vole a good model for studies involving radionuclide pollution.…”