Injection of a dopamine antagonist into Holstein steers to relieve symptoms of fescue toxicosis

J Anim Sci. 1997 Apr;75(4):1026-31. doi: 10.2527/1997.7541026x.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether administering a dopamine antagonist to steers fed endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue would increase serum prolactin (PRL) and reduce rectal temperature. Steers in both experiments were housed in environmentally controlled chambers (32 degrees C; 50% relative humidity). In Exp. 1, 10 steers were allotted randomly to receive s.c. injections of either 0, .006, .03, or .06 mg of Ro 24-0409 (dopamine antagonist)/kg BW. The experiment was designed in four phases: endophyte-free seed (E-) without antagonist (d -11 to 0); E- with antagonist (d 0 to 7); E+ with antagonist (d 7 to 28); E+ without antagonist (d 28 to 38). In Exp. 2, 22 Holstein steers were allotted randomly to the same treatments and design, except three steers were maintained on E- without antagonist. Steers were fed individually with intakes measured daily. In Exp. 1, feed intake and rectal temperature were not improved (P > .05) by antagonist injection. In Exp. 2, antagonist injections increased (P < .05) PRL. Ingestion of E+ decreased (P < .05) feed intake and serum PRL. Antagonist injection decreased (P < .05) rectal temperature and increased (P < .05) serum PRL.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Temperature / physiology
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / blood
  • Cattle Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cattle Diseases / physiopathology
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Dopamine Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Dopamine Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Eating / physiology
  • Ergotism / drug therapy
  • Ergotism / physiopathology
  • Ergotism / veterinary*
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Isoquinolines / administration & dosage
  • Isoquinolines / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Plant Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Plant Poisoning / physiopathology
  • Plant Poisoning / veterinary*
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Skin Temperature / physiology

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Isoquinolines
  • Ro 24-0409
  • Prolactin