Implication of agathic acid from Utah juniper bark as an abortifacient compound in cattle

Abstract

Freshly ground Utah juniper [Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little] bark was given via gavage at a dosage of 2.3 kg per cow twice daily to three pregnant cows starting on day 255 of gestation. All three cows aborted the calves after 4, 5 and 6 days of treatment. A fourth cow was dosed with Utah juniper needles and this cow calved early on day 268 of gestation with complications consistent with pine needle abortion. Chemical analysis of Juniperus osteosperma bark identified the major diterpene acid as the labdane acid known as agathic acid. Agathic acid was measured in the bark at a concentration of 1.5% (dry weight basis). Analysis of sera samples obtained from treated cows found detectable quantities of agathic acid, dihydroagathic acid and tetrahydroagathic acid, which are known serum metabolites of the abortifacient compound isocupressic acid. Based on the high incidence of induced abortion and detection of known metabolites in affected animals, the labdane acid known as agathic acid is considered to be an abortifacient compound in late-term pregnant cattle.