HPLC METHOD FOR DETECTION OF ERGOTAMINE, ERGOSINE, AND ERGINE AFTER INTRAVENOUS-INJECTION OF A SINGLE-DOSE

A simple, rapid method of liquid solid extraction coupled with a sensi tive HPLC procedure with fluorescence detection to measure ergot alkal oid levels in bovine blood samples is presented. Single injections of either ergosine, ergotamine, or ergine were given to Holstein steer ca lves (140 kg), and serum concentrations of the ergot alkaloids were mo nitored over a 2-h period. Serum samples were loaded on a Bond Elut (1 00 mg) C-18 column that had been washed with methanol and distilled wa ter. Ergot alkaloids were then eluted with methanol and analyzed by HP LC. Recovery of ergosine, when added to serum at concentrations of 0.5 -24.0 ng/mL, ranged from 95 to 98%. The data fit previous reports of t hree phases in elimination of drug. The method reported has excellent repeatability, a detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL, and provides an alterna tive to quantitate ergosine, ergotamine, and ergine in bovine blood sa mples at therapeutic dosages.