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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Lexington, Kentucky » Forage-animal Production Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #257103
Title: Effect of Ergot Alkaloids on Bovine Foregut Vasculature

Author
item FOOTE, ANDREW - University Of Kentucky
item Klotz, James
item HARMON, DAVID - University Of Kentucky
item BUSH, LOWELL - University Of Kentucky
item Strickland, James

Submitted to: Kentucky Beef Report
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2010
Publication Date: 8/19/2010
Citation: Foote, A.P., Klotz, J.L., Harmon, D.L., Bush, L.P., Strickland, J.R. 2010. Effect of Ergot Alkaloids on Bovine Foregut Vasculature. Kentucky Beef Report. pgs 33-36.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ergot alkaloids induce vasoconstriction of bovine foregut vasculature. Ergovaline induced the greatest response in ruminal artery while ergovaline and ergotamine induced the greatest response in ruminal vein. Lysergic acid did not stimulate a contractile response in either the ruminal artery or vein. Ergonovine caused vasoconstriction of the ruminal artery but not the vein. A greater maximal arterial response was observed for ergonovine, ergocornine, and ergovaline. The arterial and venous responses were not different for ergocryptine, ergocristine, ergotamine, and lysergic acid. The EC-50 (concentration to produce 50% of maximal concentration) for the alkaloids was not different for the ruminal vein. The EC-50 for ergotamine for the ruminal artery was greater than the other alkaloids. These data indicate that ergot alkaloids have the potential to induce vasoconstriction of core body vasculature of cattle which could alter nutrient absorption.