ARS | Publication request: COMPARISON OF PLASMA DISPOSITION OF ALKALOIDS AFTER LUPINE CHALLENGE IN CATTLE THAT HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO CALVES WITH LUPINE-INDUCED ARTHROGRYPOSIS OR CLINICALLY NORMAL CALVES

Submitted to: American Journal of Veterinary Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 12, 2004
Publication Date: November 1, 2004
Publisher's URL: http://www.avma.org/publications
Citation: Gay, C.C., Panter, K.E., Mealey, K.L., Gay, J.M., Hjartarson, S.W., Tibary, A., Motteram, E.S., Wierenga, T.L., James, L.F. 2004. Comparison of plasma disposition of alkaloids after lupine challenge in cattle that had given birth to calves with lupine-induced arthrogryposis or clinically normal calves. American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Interpretive Summary: Some lupine species that contain the quinolizidine alkaloid anagyrine cause "crooked calf disease" when pregnant cows graze these plants during the first trimester of pregnancy. In the scabland region of eastern Washington State there is a high risk of lupine-induced crooked calf disease because the range conditions are optimal for lupine growth. This research compared the alkaloid levels in blood plasma between cows with a known history of crooked calf disease and with cows having no history of crooked calf disease. This research demonstrated there were no differences in blood levels or elimination rates of the toxins between cows. Therefore, the within-herd differences in risk of crooked calf disease are not related to the alkaloid disposition in the cow.

Technical Abstract: Six cows with a history of lupine induced crooked calf disease and 6 cows with no history of lupine induced birth defects were challenged with lupine and plasma alkaloid pharmacokinetic parameters compared. Anagyrine, the alkaloid known to cause crooked calf disease, and two other alkaloids, 5, 6-dehydrolupanine and lupanine were measured in blood over 48 hours after administration of Lupinus leucophyllus via gastric gavage. There were no differences found in plasma disposition of alkaloids between groups. This research does not support the hypothesis that between-cow differences in plasma disposition of anagyrine account for within-herd differences in risk for lupine-induced arthrogryposis.