Effect of dietary ergot on the mean transit time of digesta in the small intestine of sheep

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) causes serious deleterious effects in animals which ingest it, and it may also affect the rate of passage of digesta through the intestine. In a Latin square design experiment with repeated measurements, the mean transit times (MTT) of digesta in the small intestine were determined in four intact rams fed ergot (0.0, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15% of the diet) with their daily feed allotments. Although there was a very slight indication of an effect as the ergot treatment concentration increased, the values were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Despite possible differences in the effects of individual constituent ergot alkaloids, there was no affect on the MTT in the small intestine of sheep. Key words: Ergot, rate of passage, sheep, mean transit time