Bovine plasma was assayed to determine whether ergotamine, an ergopeptide isolated from endophytic tall fescue, affected cortisol, triiodothyronine, insulin, and glucagon concentrations. In Exp. 1, four heifers received an i.v. bolus injection of ergotamine tartrate (19 microg/kg BW) or saline vehicle in a simple crossover design 2 d after induced luteolysis. Oxytocin (100 USP units) was i.v. administered 4 h after ergotamine or saline. Treatment x time affected (P < .01) respiration rates and plasma concentrations of cortisol, triiodothyronine, insulin, and glucagon. Respiration rates were elevated (P < .01) 2 to 7 h after ergotamine, but they were unchanged after saline. Plasma cortisol concentrations were increased (P < .01) 1 to 3 h after ergotamine but not after saline. Plasma triiodothyronine was elevated 2 h after ergotamine, but it was unchanged in response to saline. Insulin decreased (P < .01) and glucagon increased (P < .01) during the 1st h after ergotamine, but not in response to saline. A second increase (P < .01) of glucagon was observed 3 h after ergotamine. In Exp. 2, six cows were treated with an i.v. bolus injection of ergotamine (20 microg/kg BW) or saline in a simple crossover design 10 d after receiving a s.c. ear implant containing norgestomet. Oxytocin (100 USP units) was i.v. administered 4 h after ergotamine or saline. Treatment x time affected (P < .001) respiration rates, cortisol, insulin, and glucagon and tended to influence (P = .12) triiodothyronine concentrations. Respiration rates were elevated (P < .01) 1 to 7 h after ergotamine but were unaltered by saline. Plasma cortisol was elevated (P < .01) 1 to 5 h after ergotamine, but not in response to saline. Plasma triiodothyronine was elevated (P < .01) 1 to 2 h after ergotamine, but not after saline. Insulin was decreased (P < .01) and glucagon increased (P < .01) within 1 h after ergotamine treatment, but they were not altered by saline. A second increase (P < .01) of glucagon occurred by 4 h after ergotamine. In Exp. 1 and 2, glucagon increased (P < .01) 1 h after oxytocin in saline and ergotamine cows. Results indicate that ergotamine can alter plasma concentrations of hormones that mediate nutrient metabolism and thermoregulation in cattle.

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