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Embryotoxic effects of pine needles and pine needle extracts
The Cornell Veterinarian
|April 1, 1979
Summary
A heat-stable toxin in ponderosa pine needles causes embryo resorption and weight loss in mice. Heat treatment of pine needles and extracts significantly increased these toxic effects.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Science
- Mammalian Toxicology
Background:
- Ponderosa pine needles contain a heat-stable toxin.
- This toxin exhibits solubility in various organic solvents.
- Potential risks to wildlife and livestock consuming pine needles are a concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the embryotoxic effects of ponderosa pine needle toxin.
- To determine the impact of heat treatment on the toxin's potency.
- To quantify the dose-response relationship for embryo resorption.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of toxin from ponderosa pine needles using chloroform/methanol.
- Administration of fresh needles and extracts to pregnant mice.
- Measurement of embryo resorption rates and adult mouse weight changes.
- Autoclaving of needles and extracts to assess heat stability effects.
Main Results:
- The toxin caused significant embryo resorption and weight loss in adult mice.
- Autoclaving enhanced the embryotoxic effects by 28% for needles and 32% for extracts.
- The embryo resorptive dose 50% (ERD50) was 8.95 gms for fresh needles and 6.46 gms for autoclaved needles.
Conclusions:
- Ponderosa pine needle toxin poses a significant embryotoxic risk.
- Heat treatment increases the potency of the toxin.
- Further research is warranted to understand the toxin's mechanism of action and ecological impact.