The dominant lethal effects of some ergot alkaloids.
The dominant lethal test was carried out in the mouse using the ergot derivatives dihydroergotoxine, ergotamine and methysergide. A significant increase in early fetal deaths was induced by 100 mg/kg of dihydroergotoxine and methysergide. Doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg did not induce positive effects. Ergotamine was not effective in doses up to 100 mg/kg. Reduced numbers of implantations were not consistently observed following treatment with the ergot preparations, but some anti-fertility effects were noted. Cyclophosphamide, used as a positive control compound, produced significant effects in doses as low as 25 mg/kg.
D000818:Animals; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000139:chemically induced; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D008297:Male; D008784:Methysergide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy
D004088:Dihydroergotoxine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D004878:Ergotamine; D008784:Methysergide