Objective--To describe the simple elimination kinetics of methyllycaconitine (MLA) and deltaline and evaluate the heart rate response in cattle following oral administration of larkspur. Animals--5 healthy Angus steers that were habituated to metabolism crates. Procedures--Tall larkspur (Delphinium barbeyi) in the early flowering stage was collected, dried, and ground. Each steer received a single dose of larkspur that was equivalent to 10.4 mg of MLA/kg and 11.0 mg of deltaline/kg via oral administration. Steers were housed in metabolism crates during a 96-hour period following larkspur administration; heart rate was monitored continuously, and blood samples were collected periodically for analysis of serum MLA and deltaline concentrations as well as assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters. Results--No overt clinical signs of poisoning developed in any steer during the experiment. Mean ± SE heart rate reached a maximum of 79.0 ± 5.0 beats/min at 17 hours after larkspur administration. Serum MLA concentration was correlated directly with heart rate. Mean times to maximal serum concentration of MLA and deltaline were 8.8 ± 1.2 hours and 5.0 ± 0.6 hours, respectively. Mean elimination half-life values for MLA and deltaline were 20.5 ± 4.1 hours and 8.2 ± 0.6 hours, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Following larkspur administration in 5 healthy steers, maximum serum concentrations of MLA and deltaline were detected within 10 hours, and changes in serum MLA concentration and heart rate were correlated. Results indicated that cattle that have consumed larkspur will eliminate 99% of MLA and deltaline from serum within 144 hours.

Investigation of spreading of diseases of micronutrient deficiencies at cow breeding farms of Grodno district of the Republic of Belarus depending on the season and character of polymicroelementoses, as well as the determination of relations between polyhypomicroelementoses and state of new born calves were realized. Clinical investigation of 1350 milked and calf-bearing dry cows and biochemical analysis of 450 blood samples taken at nongrazing time (before cows pasture) and at pasture time were conducted. The following animal groups were selected: the first group – cows after calving; the second group – the cows of three month pregnancy; the third group – calf-bearing dry cows. The following groups were selected among calf-bearing dry cows in nongrazing and pasture time: clinically healthy cows, which had biochemical blood changes, showing development of subclinical polyhypomicroelementoses (n = 20); clinically healthy cows with blood indicators, standing in limits of physiological standards. Number of calves was considered after calving of cows of both groups. Body weight, realization of staying and sucking position, evidence of sucking reflex, and calves disposition to neonatal pathology were considered in the study. Research result showed that cow microelementoses were marked by the development of subclinical polyhypomicroelementoses. Among cow polyhypomicroelementoses there was noted the domination of states followed by lowering of zinc, cobalt and cuprum content. Polyhypomicroelementoses were developing both in winter housing season and in course of grazing season. Polyhypomicroelementoses involve cows of different physiological states and were spreading more intensively at cow dry period and after calving. Calves obtained from cows with polyhypomicroelementoses often had the state of hypotrophy and high incidence of dyspepsia at colostric period. Clinical and biochemical status of the analyzed calves was characterized by signs of intoxication and hepatic insufficiency