ergoline and ergocornine

Cereals and feed contaminated with ergot alkaloids (EAs) have been of concern for several decades. Nowadays, analysis of EAs is focused on ergometrine, ergotamine, ergosine, ergocristine, ergocryptine (a mixture of α- and β-isomers) and ergocornine and their related -inine epimers as listed in the European Commission Recommendation 2012/154/EU. Liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection has been used for quantification of EAs for decades whilst LC-MS has become the work-horse for quantification of EAs in the last decade. However, in LC-MS analysis matrix effects of different magnitudes exist for each EA epimer, especially ergometrine/ergometrinine, even after different clean-up procedures. This leads to an underestimation or overestimation of EAs levels. Moreover, isotopic labelled standards for EAs are still not available in the market. This review aims to provide background information on different analytical methods, discuss their advantages and disadvantages and possible advancement. Moreover, the method performance requirements to support forthcoming regulations are also discussed.

Topics: Chemical Fractionation; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Edible Grain; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamines; Food Contamination; Humans; Lipids; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Toxins, Biological

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Carmustine; Castration; Cyclophosphamide; Doxorubicin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ergolines; Female; Fluorouracil; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Methotrexate; Methylnitrosourea; Mice; Nitrosourea Compounds; Prednisolone; Rats; Tamoxifen; Vincristine

This review covers a description of the maternal behavior cycle in the hamster and relationships between the endocrine system and prepartum changes in activity, aggression, sexual receptivity, and maternal care. Postpartum maternal behavior consists of the mother's "normal" cannibalism of some portion of her litter, the formation of a bond between mother and her young, the development of behavioral synchrony between the mother and her pups, and maternal aggression toward conspecifics. The maternal responses of virgin female, male, and juvenile animals are described and methodological considerations in the testing of both virgin and parturient animals are presented. Finally, a theoretical framework for considering the regulation of maternal care in the hamster is presented. Two main phases of regulation are proposed; an onset phase that that originates prepartum and depends on the physiological conditions of pregnancy and a maintenance phase which provides for the continuation of maternal care during lactation and is based on both endogenous maternal factors and external litter-related stimuli. A transition period beginning at parturition facilitates the shift between the onset and maintenance phases.

Topics: Aggression; Animals; Cannibalism; Castration; Cricetinae; Ergolines; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Hypothalamus; Lactation; Litter Size; Maternal Behavior; Nesting Behavior; Olfactory Bulb; Parity; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Prolactin; Research Design

The natural occurrence of six major ergot alkaloids, ergometrine, ergosine, ergotamine, ergocornine, ergokryptine and ergocristine, as well as their corresponding epimers, were investigated in 60 cereal samples (barley and wheat) from Algeria. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and a QuEChERS extraction method were used for sample analysis. The results revealed that 12 out of 60 samples (20%) were contaminated with ergot alkaloids. Wheat was the most contaminated matrix, with an incidence of 26.7% (8 out of 30 samples). The concentration of total ergot alkaloids ranged from 17.8 to 53.9 µg/kg for barley and from 3.66 to 76.0 μg/kg for wheat samples. Ergosine, ergokryptine and ergocristine showed the highest incidences in wheat, while ergometrine was the most common ergot in barley.

Topics: Algeria; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Ergolines; Ergonovine; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Ergotamines; Food Microbiology; Hordeum; Limit of Detection; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Triticum

Topics: Avena; Carbonates; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Ergolines; Ergonovine; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamines; Food Contamination; Functional Food; Solid Phase Extraction; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

In the present study, the genetic relationships and ergot-alkaloid production of the fungus Claviceps purpurea on grasses were investigated, to determine any associations between grass host specificity, ergot-alkaloid production, and geographic origin. C. purpurea sclerotia were obtained from wild and cultivated grasses along a 300-km climatic gradient, from sub-Mediterranean to continental climates. Twenty-one infected grass samples provided 39 sclerotia for analysis of the ergot alkaloids ergometrine, ergosine, ergotamine, ergocornine, ergocryptine, and ergocristine, and their "-inine" epimers, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. C. purpurea ribosomal DNA underwent molecular classification to determine any grass host or geographic specificity of ergot-alkaloid composition for the different operational taxonomic units. Molecular analysis of sclerotia ribosomal DNA showed three genetic groups, with some associations with specific grass host taxonomic groups. The ergot-alkaloid composition data were in agreement with the data obtained by molecular methods. The most frequent ergot-alkaloid epimers were ergocristine, and ergosine. The total ergot-alkaloid concentrations in sclerotia varied from 59 to 4,200 mg kg

Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Claviceps; DNA, Fungal; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Ergolines; Ergonovine; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Ergotamines; Host Specificity; Phylogeny; Plant Diseases; Poaceae; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Slovenia; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Ergot is a common disease of wheat and other cereal grains that is predominantly caused by Claviceps purpurea in the field, often affecting crop yield in addition to the environment. Infected grain can be contaminated with dark sclerotia, which contain fungal metabolites such as ergot alkaloids. The occurrence of ergot alkaloids in cereal grain is a major health concern for humans and livestock. Effective and rapid screening of these mycotoxins is crucial for producers, processors, and consumers of cereal-based food and feed grain. Established methods of ergot alkaloid screening based on LC-MS or GC-MS require laborious processes. A novel method using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-time-of-flight (TOF) MS was developed to identify four ergot alkaloids. Using dihydroxybenzoic acid as the matrix, ergosine, ergocornine, ergocryptine, and ergocristine were readily detected in individual sclerotia of C. purpurea. The accuracy of the identified ergot alkaloids was further confirmed by tandem MS analysis. MALDI-TOF MS is suitable for high-throughput screening of ergot alkaloids because it permits rapid and accurate identification, simple sample preparation, and no derivatization or chromatographic separation.

Topics: Claviceps; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamines; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Pharmacologic profiling of serotonin (5HT) receptors of bovine lateral saphenous vein has shown that cattle grazing endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) have altered responses to ergovaline, 5HT, 5HT2A, and 5HT7 agonists. To determine if 5HT receptor activity of tall fescue alkaloids is affected by grazing endophyte-free (EF), wild-type [Kentucky-31 (KY31)], novel endophyte AR542-infected (MAXQ), or novel endophyte AR584-infected (AR584) tall fescue, contractile responses of lateral saphenous veins biopsied from cattle grazing these different fescue-endophyte combinations were evaluated in presence or absence of antagonists for 5HT2A (ketanserin) or 5HT7 (SB-269970) receptors. Biopsies were conducted over 2 yr on 35 mixed-breed steers (361.5 ± 6.3 kg) grazing EF (n = 12), KY31 (n = 12), MAXQ (n = 6), or AR584 (n = 5) pasture treatments (3 ha) between 84 and 98 d (Yr 1) or 108 to 124 d (Yr 2). Segments (2 to 3 cm) of vein were surgically biopsied, sliced into 2- to 3-mm cross-sections, and suspended in a myograph chamber containing 5 mL of oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer (95% O2/5% CO2; pH = 7.4; 37°C). Veins were exposed to increasing concentrations of 5HT, ergovaline, and ergovaline + 1 × 10(-5) M ketanserin or + 1 × 10(-6) M SB-269970 in Yr 1. In Yr 2, ergotamine and ergocornine were evaluated in presence or absence of 1 × 10(-5) M ketanserin. Contractile response data were normalized to a reference addition of 1 × 10(-4) M norepinephrine. In Yr 1, contractile response to 5HT and ergovaline were least (P < 0.05) in KY31 pastures and the presence of ketanserin greatly reduced (P < 0.05) the response to ergovaline in all pastures. However, presence of SB-269970 did not (P = 0.91) alter contractile response to ergovaline. In Yr 2, there was no difference in contractile response to ergotamine (P = 0.13) or ergocornine (P = 0.99) across pasture treatments, but ketanserin reduced (P < 0.05) the contractile response to both alkaloids. The 5HT2A receptor is involved in alkaloid-induced vascular contraction and alkaloid binding may be affected by exposure to different endophyte-fescue combinations.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Cattle; Diet; Endophytes; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Ergotamines; Festuca; Lolium; Male; Neotyphodium; Random Allocation; Saphenous Vein; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Serotonin Antagonists

Ergot alkaloids produced by the endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) associated with tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) are implicated in the clinical signs of fescue toxicosis. These compounds were hypothesized to correspondingly affect foregut vasculature. The objective of this study was to determine vasoconstrictive potentials of ergovaline, ergotamine, ergocryptine, ergocristine, ergonovine, ergocornine, and lysergic acid on right ruminal artery and vein. Segments of right ruminal artery and vein were collected from the ventral coronary groove of predominantly Angus heifers (n = 10) shortly after slaughter and placed in a modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer on ice. Vessels were cleaned of excess connective tissue and fat, sliced into 2- to 3-mm segments, and suspended in a multi-myograph chamber with 5 mL of continuously oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer (95%O(2)/5% CO(2); pH 7.4; 37°C). Arteries and veins were equilibrated to 1.0 and 0.5 g, respectively, for 90 min followed by the reference addition of 120 mM KCl. Increasing concentrations of each alkaloid were added to the respective chamber every 15 min after buffer replacement. Data were normalized as a percentage of the contractile response induced by KCl. Alkaloid (P < 0.0001), concentration (P < 0.0001), and vessel type (artery or vein; P = 0.004) affected contractility. No arterial response was observed until 10(-6) M for ergovaline and ergotamine; 10(-5) M for ergocryptine, ergocornine, and ergonovine; and 10(-4) M for ergocristine. Lysergic acid did not induce a contractile response in the ruminal artery. No venous contractile response was observed until concentrations of 10(-6) M for ergovaline, 10(-5) M for ergotamine, and 10(-4) M for ergocryptine and ergocristine were achieved. Lysergic acid, ergonovine, and ergocornine did not induce a contractile response in the ruminal vein. A greater arterial maximal response was observed for ergovaline (P < 0.0001), whereas the arterial and venous responses were not different for ergotamine (P = 0.16), ergocryptine (P = 0.218), and ergocristine (P = 0.425). These results indicate that ergot alkaloids associated with toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue are vasoactive and can potentially alter arterial blood supply and venous drainage from the bovine foregut.

Topics: Animals; Arteries; Cattle; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endophytes; Ergolines; Ergonovine; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Ergotamines; Female; Lolium; Lysergic Acid; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Rumen; Vasoconstriction; Veins

Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins that are undesirable contaminants of cereal products, particularly rye. A method was developed employing clean-up by cation-exchange solid-phase extraction, separation by high-performance liquid chromatography under alkaline conditions and fluorescence detection. It is capable of separating and quantifying both C8-isomers of ergocornine, alpha-ergocryptine, ergocristine, ergonovine, and ergotamine. The average recovery was 61% +/- 10% with limits of detection from 0.2 to 1.1 microg kg(-1). Twenty-four unknown rye flour samples from Danish mills contained on average 46 microg kg(-1) with a maximum content of 234 microg kg(-1). The most common ergot alkaloids were ergotamine and alpha-ergocryptine including their C8-isomers. A total of 54% of the ergot alkaloids were detected as C(8)-S isomers.

Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Denmark; Ergolines; Ergonovine; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Flour; Food Contamination; Secale; Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Although it has been suggested that ergot derivatives may play a role in antiglaucoma therapy, little attention has been paid to the ocular hypotensive action of these drugs. Having previously reported that topical natural ergot alkaloids ergocristine alpha-ergocryptine and ergocornine dose-dependently reduce intraocular pressure in ocular normotensive and alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits, the aim of the present work was to compare the effect of ergocristine, alpha-ergocryptine and ergocornine on the intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in ocular normotensive and alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits, in order to further explore the ocular actions of these compounds.. Experiments were conducted in albino ocular normotensive and hypertensive rabbits by intracameral injection of alpha-chymotrypsin. Intraocular pressure responses to drug vehicle and seven different doses of topical natural ergot alkaloids were examined, in order to obtain dose-response relationships for comparing the intraocular pressure-lowering effect and potency of these drugs. Tonographies were also performed to ascertain the actions of natural ergot alkaloids on aqueous humor dynamics.. All natural ergot alkaloids tested reduced intraocular pressure in a dose-related fashion. The ocular hypotensive effect was greater in alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits for the three compounds tested. All natural ergot alkaloids tested decreased both tonographic outflow facility and, to a greater extent, aqueous humor inflow in ocular normotensive and in alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits.. Taken together, our data suggest that these compounds decrease both tonographic outflow facility and, to a greater extent, aqueous humor inflow, which explains their final effect in ocular normotensive and in alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits. Reductions in aqueous humor inflow observed after topical application of natural ergot alkaloids in alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits can only be explained by a marked inhibition of active secretion of aqueous humor, since processes involved in aqueous humor formation may probably be altered after alpha-chymotrypsin injection.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Aqueous Humor; Chymotrypsin; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Intraocular Pressure; Ocular Hypertension; Rabbits; Tonometry, Ocular

Tall fescue toxicosis and other maladies in livestock result from the ingestion of vasoconstrictive ergot alkaloids produced by fungal endophytes associated symbiotically with the grass. In order to facilitate future analyses of grass extracts considered responsible for outbreak of related livestock diseases, we examined the electrospray ionization mass spectra of specific ergot alkaloids under conditions that permit protonation. Our purposes were both to record the spectra with interpretation of mechanisms of fragmentation and to derive commonalities that would allow the prediction of mass spectra of related compounds for which standards were not readily available. With [M + H](+) values in parentheses, water-insoluble lysergic acid peptide ergot derivatives ergovaline (m/z 534), ergotamine (m/z 582), ergocornine (m/z 562), ergocryptine (m/z 576) and ergocrystine (m/z 610) exhibited a consistent loss of water (-18 u) from the C-12' alpha-hydroxy functionality. Of this group, ergovaline and ergotamine generated an m/z 320 fragment deriving from cleavage of ring E amide and ether functions with retention of the peptide ring system methyl group. Ergocornine, ergocryptine and ergocrystine similarly formed an m/z 348 fragment with retention of isopropyl. These assignments were supported by the lack of similar fragments from the water-soluble ergot ergonovine, which lacks a peptide ring system. Clavine-type ergot alkaloids lysergic acid and lysergol lack any substituents beyond simple ones directly on the C-8 position and, similarly to ergonovine, lack significant fragments at m/z 268, 251 and 225 shared by the peptide ergot alkaloids.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ergolines; Ergonovine; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Ergotamines; Festuca; Food Contamination; Horse Diseases; Horses; Lysergic Acid; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

We previously reported that topical natural ergot alkaloids ergocristine, alpha-ergocryptine and ergocornine dose-dependently reduce intraocular pressure in ocular normotensive rabbits, most likely by decreasing aqueous humor inflow. In the present study, the effects of these compounds on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in a rabbit model for ocular hypertension were assessed.. Experiments were conducted in albino rabbits made ocular hypertensive by intracameral injection of alpha-chymotrypsin. Intraocular pressure responses to drug vehicle and seven different doses of topical natural ergot alkaloids were examined in order to obtain dose-response relationships for comparing the intraocular pressure-lowering effect and potency of these drugs. Tonographies were also performed to ascertain the actions of natural ergot alkaloids on aqueous humor dynamics in alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits.. Topical application of the natural ergot alkaloids ergocristine, alpha-ergocryptine and ergocornine lowered intraocular pressure in alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits in a dose-related fashion, with ergocristine displaying the greatest intraocular pressure-lowering effect. Tonographic studies revealed a decrease in the tonographic outflow facility following topical application of natural ergot alkaloids, although only the effects of both ergocristine and alpha-ergocryptine reached statistical significance. All natural ergot alkaloids tested significantly reduced the calculated aqueous humor inflow.. This study suggests that the natural ergot alkaloids ergocristine, alpha-ergocryptine and ergocornine effectively decrease intraocular pressure in the alpha-chymotrypsin-induced model of ocular hypertension. Since these compounds reduce the tonographic aqueous humor outflow facility, their final ocular antihypertensive effect appears to result from a remarkable reduction of the aqueous humor inflow.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Aqueous Humor; Chymotrypsin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ergolines; Intraocular Pressure; Ocular Hypertension; Ophthalmic Solutions; Rabbits; Tonometry, Ocular

The 400 MHz 1H-NMR spectra of some therapeutically important ergot derivatives (three bases, four protonated bases and four dihydroergoline salts) are analysed in terms of the low field chemical shift region (above 5 ppm), common resonances of rings C and D (below 5 ppm) and C-8 substituent features. Attention is drawn to data of specific analytical value, and a scheme for the rapid identification of members of this group of ergots proposed. Features which provide evidence of the solute conformation of ring D, and isomerization to less active C-8 epimers are also emphasized.

Topics: Bromocriptine; Ergolines; Ergotamine; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Reference Standards; Stereoisomerism

An analysis of the 70 eV electron impact (EI) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectral features of a variety of ergoline and dihydroergoline derivatives of therapeutic importance is presented with emphasis upon analytical utility. Derivatives which carry non-peptide based C-8 substituents are fully characterized by EI-MS through provision of molecular wieght evidence and fragment ions diagnostic of both the ergoline skeleton and the C-8 substituent. Peptidic ergolines and dihydroergolines are poorly characterized by EI-MS, but their FAB-MS clearly reveal [M + 1]+ (high intensity) and [M - 1]- (high to low intensity) ions in positive and negative ion spectra, respectively. Negative FAB spectra of salts also display diagnostic anion-base conjugate ions.

Topics: Bromocriptine; Ergolines; Ergotamine; Ergotamines; Molecular Weight; Spectrometry, Mass, Fast Atom Bombardment

The length of the first spontaneous oestrous cycle in pubertal Wistar-Imamichi strain rats determined by vaginal smears varied from 5 to 18 days. The variation was ascribed to the period (3-16 days) of the stage of vaginal smears consisting of leucocytic cells (L stage). Plasma progesterone concentration and the decidual reaction in the uterus were used as indicators of the function of the corpus luteum and the L stage period was categorized as short, lasting for 3-6 days (average 4 days) with non-functional corpora lutea, or long, lasting 9-16 days (average 12 days) and with functional corpora lutea. Rats with the long L stage showed nocturnal and diurnal prolactin surges, but no daily changes in prolactin values were observed in rats with a short L stage. Daily changes in prolactin concentrations were maintained by the administration of progesterone in rats ovariectomized on Day 6 of the L stage. Plasma progesterone values on Day 6 of the L stage decreased with ergocornine treatment on Days 4 and 5 of the L stage and administration of bovine prolactin restored the level. These results indicate that the L stage observed in the first oestrous cycle is maintained by a positive feedback relation between progesterone and prolactin secretions.

Topics: Animals; Ergolines; Estrus; Female; Ovariectomy; Progesterone; Prolactin; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sexual Maturation; Uterus

Injection of an ovulation-blocking dose of pentobarbitone sodium given in the early afternoon of pro-oestrus in rats decreased follicular oestradiol production in vitro the next day (2.42 +/- 0.11 ng/4 h/follicle in pro-oestrous rats, 0.49 +/- 0.04 ng/4 h/follicle in pentobarbitone-treated rats). Pentobarbitone, given 1 day earlier (at dioestrus II), prevented the increase in oestradiol production that normally occurs between di-oestrus II and pro-oestrus. Injection of a subovulatory amount of hCG (0.5 i.u.) given after pentobarbitone injection inhibited the decrease in follicular oestradiol production induced by pentobarbitone. The pentobarbitone-induced decrease in oestradiol production was also prevented by bromocriptine (1 mg) given at di-oestrus II (15:00 h) and pro-oestrus (09:00 h). Bromocriptine is an effective inhibitor of prolactin secretion and this suggests therefore that the decrease in follicular oestradiol production after pentobarbitone is due to the preovulatory surge of prolactin. However, pretreatment with bromocriptine also inhibited the effect of pentobarbitone on oestradiol production when pentobarbitone was given at di-oestrus II. Moreover, when ergocornine (another inhibitor of prolactin secretion) was used instead of pentobarbitone to block ovulation, follicular oestradiol production was also decreased the next day. In contrast to bromocriptine, ergocornine was not able to prevent the pentobarbitone-induced decrease in follicular oestradiol production. These results indicate that the decrease in follicular oestradiol production after pentobarbitone injection is due to inhibition of the serum concentrations of LH rather than the preovulatory surge of prolactin. How bromocriptine (but not ergocornine) prevents the pentobarbitone-induced decrease in oestradiol production is not clear.

Topics: Animals; Bromocriptine; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Diestrus; Ergolines; Estradiol; Female; Luteinizing Hormone; Ovarian Follicle; Pentobarbital; Proestrus; Prolactin; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

The osmoregulatory responses to warmer temperatures and hormone treatment in cold-adapted (5 degrees C) Rana catesbeiana tadpoles and newly metamorphosed frogs were examined. Tadpoles transferred to 11 degrees C and 18 degrees C and left for 5 days lost 7% and 10% of their body weight. Plasma [Na+] was elevated 28% and 21%, respectively. Control (5 degrees C) animals maintained their body weight and plasma [Na+] constant. Daily treatment with either ovine prolactin (oPRL) or ovine growth hormone (oGH) prevented the weight loss and the increase in extracellular [Na+] that occurred when tadpoles were transferred to 18 degrees C. Neither propylthiouracil (PTU) nor arginine vasotocin (AVT) were effective in countering temperature-induced weight loss in tadpoles. Newly metamorphosed frogs transferred to 18 degrees C also lost weight; this was not prevented by daily treatment with saline, oPRL, oGH or PTU. However, in frogs treated daily with AVT, initial BW was regained by day 6. When warm-adapted (18 degrees C) tadpoles were treated daily for 18 days with saline, bPRL, bGH, thyroxine (T4), ergocornine, cortisol, or cortisol + T4, bPRL was most effective in retarding weight loss and maintaining body water content, whereas T4 + cortisol caused the greatest loss of weight and body water. By day 20, the correlations between weight loss and both body water content and hematocrit were highly significant. These data suggest that reported increases in plasma solute concentrations in larval amphibians may actually reflect decreases in extracellular fluid volume, rather than increased amounts of solutes, per se.

Topics: Animals; Body Water; Body Weight; Ergolines; Growth Hormone; Hormones; Hydrocortisone; Larva; Prolactin; Propylthiouracil; Rana catesbeiana; Sodium; Sodium Chloride; Temperature; Thyroxine; Vasotocin; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Extra- and intracellular proteinases from various Claviceps purpurea strains grown in submerged culture have been studied. A maximum level of intracellular proteinases was observed on the 6th day of culture growth, whereas extracellular activity continued to increase throughout the culture growth. Proteinases were purified and characterized. The ergotamine strain secreted one aspartic and two serine proteinases, whereas from the disrupted mycelium only the aspartic proteinase could be isolated. The ergocornine strain secreted the aspartic proteinase in two forms and the ergocristine strain produced an aspartic and a serine proteinase.

Topics: Claviceps; Ergolines; Ergotamine; Fermentation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Peptide Hydrolases; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Bromocriptine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ergolines; Female; Goats; Lactation; Pregnancy; Prolactin; Time Factors

Plasma levels of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured in parturient Rockland-Swiss (R-S) albino mice following the daily administration for 10 days of 0.5 mg ergocornine (ERGO), 0.5 mg bromocriptine (BROMO), or sesame oil (OIL). The dams were provided with replete foster young on a daily basis so as to prevent the decline in suckling activity that normally occurs in undernourished pups of ergot-treated dams. Circulating PRL levels were significantly reduced by both ergot drugs but plasma levels of the other hormones measured were not altered. Thus, ergot drugs have relatively specific effects on PRL even in parturient animals receiving sustained high levels of suckling stimulation.

Topics: Animals; Bromocriptine; Corticosterone; Ergolines; Female; Growth Hormone; Labor, Obstetric; Lactation; Luteinizing Hormone; Mice; Pregnancy; Prolactin

Topics: Animals; Ergolines; Female; Gonadotropins, Pituitary; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; Hypothalamus; Lactation; Metergoline; Pizotyline; Pregnancy; Rats; Serotonin

The effects of hormone and drug treatments on plasma prolactin (PRL) levels and mammary tumour growth were investigated in rats bearing continuously growing DMBA-induced mammary tumours that responded to bilateral adreno-ovariectomy (Ax + Ox), Oestrogen (E2) administration increased both plasma PRL and tumour growth, but was unable to sustain tumour growth when the PRL level was reduced by concurrent injection of ergocornine (Eg). Perphenazine (Pz) produced a dose-related increase in plasma PRL, but stimulation of tumour growth in the absence of E2 required a minimal level of plasma PRL induced by Pz (0.15 mg/100 g body wt/day or more). Progesterone (P) (3 mg/day) alone, although without effect on PRL levels, maintained static tumour growth (i.e. it had a slight stimulatory effect) irrespective of the duration of treatment. The increase in plasma PRL levels above the basal values in the Ax + Ox controls following injections of combined P + Pz (0.1 mg/100 g/day) was sufficient to sustain static tumour growth, but not to reactivate growth. Enhancement of both plasma PRL and tumour growth did not occur until P and higher doses of Pz (0.3 mg/100 g/day) were injected jointly; this treatment, however, while unable to stimulate continuous tumour growth, was able to maintain static growth when plasma PRL was reduced by concurrent injections of P + Pz + Eg. From these findings it is postulated that the mechanism of action whereby P maintains static tumour growth is different from that of PRL and independent of circulating PRL levels.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Adrenalectomy; Animals; Castration; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ergolines; Estradiol; Female; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Perphenazine; Progesterone; Prolactin; Rats

The total alkaloid content and individual alkaloid composition were determined by colorimetry and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively, for Canadian wheat ergot sclerotia. The total alkaloid content was highly variable between individual sclerotia from the same or different sources and ranged from 0.013 to 0.307%; the overall average for bulked samples from 75 sites was 0.163%. Ergocristine and its isomer ergocristinine were the major constituents (approximately 46%). Other alkaloid pairs observed were ergotamine (approximately 17%), ergocryptine (approximately 12%), ergocornine (approximately 11%), ergometrine (approximately 7%), and ergosine (approximately 5%), plus about 2% unidentified alkaloids.

Topics: Canada; Claviceps; Ergolines; Ergonovine; Ergot Alkaloids; Ergotamine; Ergotamines; Plant Diseases; Secale; Species Specificity; Triticum

Topics: Aggression; Animals; Body Weight; Bromocriptine; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Female; Humans; Lactation; Male; Mice; Pregnancy; Prolactin; Sucking Behavior

Topics: Animals; Bromocriptine; Dopamine; Ergolines; Metamorphosis, Biological; Organ Culture Techniques; Pimozide; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Prolactin; Rana catesbeiana; Tail

Effects of ergocornine and reserpine on tail resorption during metamorphosis in Bufo bufo japonicus tadpoles were studied. At prometamorphosis, ergocornine induced precocious tail resorption, while reserpine scarcely affected the tail size. At the climax of metamorphosis, ergocornine was almost ineffective in accelerating tail resorption, while reserpine was effective in inhibiting tail resorption. Since prolactin-like hormone is known to block the tail resorption induced by thyroid hormones, it was postulated that the release of the hormone is blocked by ergocornine during prometamorphosis and stimulated by reserpine during climax.

Topics: Animals; Bufonidae; Ergolines; Larva; Metamorphosis, Biological; Reserpine

Topics: Animals; Embryo Implantation; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Estrus; Female; Humans; Pharmacology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Progesterone; Pseudopregnancy; Rats; Research

Topics: Animals; Embryo Implantation; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Estrus; Female; Pharmacology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Rats; Research; Vaginal Smears

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Embryo Implantation; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Esterases; Female; Humans; Pregnanediol; Steroids

Topics: Animals; Corpus Luteum; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Female; Humans; Lactation; Mesylates; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Rats

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Animals; Embryo Implantation; Ergolines; Ergot Alkaloids; Female; Mesylates; Mice; Pregnancy

Topics: Decidua; Embryo Implantation; Ergolines; Female; Humans; Ovum; Uterus

Topics: Blood Pressure; Dihydroergocornine; Ergolines; Humans; Hypertension

Topics: Dihydroergocornine; Ergolines