Reproductive toxicity of ergot alkaloids in mink.
Ergot alkaloids are-synthesized by fungi of the Claviceps family that infect rye as well as other cereals and grains. Since a portion of the ranch mink diet is cereal, mink are at a risk of being exposed to ergot alkaloids. This study was performed to determine the reproductive toxicity of ergot alkaloids derived from ergot-contaminated oats in mink. Four groups of 12 female mink each were fed diets containing 0, 3, 6 or 12 ppm ergot alkaloids from 2w prior to the breeding season until the kits were approximately 33-d old (133 d). Females were mated with untreated males. Ergo talkaloids caused a transient decrease in feed consumption, but body weights were unaffected. The gestation period of the mink in the 6 ppm group was longer compared to controls. The number of mink whelping varied significantly with 9 mink whelping each in the control and 3 ppm groups compared to 4 mink in the 6 ppm group and 1 in the 12 ppm group. Ergot alkaloids had a significant effect on kit survivabilitywith no kits surviving in the 12 ppm group. Serum prolactin was significantly depressed in the 3 ergot alkaloid groups compared to the control group. This study indicated that ingestion of ergot alkaloids at 3 ppm or higher resulted in reproductive toxicity in mink.
Sharma
C
C
Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Aulerich
R J
RJ
Render
J A
JA
Reimers
T
T
Rottinghaus
G E
GE
Kizilkaya
K
K
Bursian
S J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008907:Mink; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D011388:Prolactin