| Abstract: | Claviceps paspali sclerotia were dosed orally at various levels to sheep and cattle and the neurotoxic effects are described. Evidence is presented which indicates that the tremors are produced by a neutral tremorgen fraction. The ergot alkaloids, principally D-lysergic acid alpha-hydroxyethylamide and its isolysergic acid isomer, are not involved. The mixture of C paspali tremorgens has not been separated and characterised but its components are chemically related to other known tremorgens, such as penitrem A, produced by saprophytic moulds, notably Penicillium cyclopium. P cyclopium mycelium and C paspali sclerotia were dosed to produce comparable effects in sheep and in cattle. Similarly, effects of penitrem A and tremorgen concentrate of C paspali were compared after intravenous dosage to sheep. Observed enurotoxic effects of both moulds were identical in most respects. A low level of tremorgenic activity was detected at the honeydew stage of C paspali. These findings are discussed in relation to staggers syndromes occurring in grazing livestock. |
