TERMINATION OF EARLY (PRE-NIDATION) PREGNANCY IN THE MOUSE BY SINGLE INJECTION OF ERGOCORNINE METHANESULPHONATE

Abstract

Summary. The effect of a single subcutaneous injection of ergocornine methanesulphonate on early pregnancy in mice was studied. In all animals receiving 0·5 mg (4 ♀♀ or 0·25 mg (8 ♀♀ of the drug on Day 4, pregnancy was terminated, but only two of four pregnancies were terminated with 0·1 mg and none with 0·05 mg. Thirty-two mice in groups of four were given 0·25 mg ergocornine from Day 0 through Day 7 of pregnancy. All mice that received the drug on Days 3 or 4 terminated their pregnancy. On all other days, the animals delivered normal litters. It is quite probable that the action of ergocornine in mice is similar to its action in rats.