Effect of ergotamine on plasma metabolite and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations in cows

Abstract

Bovine plasma was assayed to determine if ergotamine affected plasma metabolite and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. In Experiment 1, four cows received a single bolus intravenous injection of ergotamine tartrate (19 μg/kg body wt.) or saline vehicle in a crossover design 2 days after prostaglandin-induced luteolysis. Treatment×time affected plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and IGF-1 concentrations. Glucose and cholesterol were increased after ergotamine. Triglycerides were elevated within 1 h after ergotamine, but were decreased 3 h after ergotamine treatment. Plasma IGF-1 decreased in response to ergotamine. Blood constituents were unchanged after treatment with saline. In Experiment 2, six cows received a single bolus intravenous injection of ergotamine (20 μg/kg body wt.) or saline vehicle in a crossover design 10 days after receiving norgestomet (6 mg) via subcutaneous ear implant. Treatment×time affected glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and IGF-1 concentrations. Glucose and cholesterol were increased after ergotamine. Triglycerides were elevated 1 h after ergotamine and decreased 3–7 h after ergotamine. Plasma IGF-1 decreased after ergotamine treatment. Blood constituents were unresponsive to the saline vehicle. Results indicated ergotamine altered plasma metabolite and IGF-1 concentrations in cows.