Isocupressic acid is a diterpene acid present in a variety of conifer needles. It induces abortion in cattle.[1] It is found in all parts of the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), especially the needles. This gives its toxic and abortifacient effects.[2] It is also present in the lodgepole pine (P. contorta), the jeffrey pine (P. jeffreyi) and possibly in the monterey pine (P. radiata).[3]

References

  1. ^ Wang, S; Panter, KE; Gardner, DR; Evans, RC; Bunch, TD (2004). "Effects of the pine needle abortifacient, isocupressic acid, on bovine oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development". Animal Reproduction Science. 81 (3–4): 237–44. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2003.10.008. PMID 14998650.
  2. ^ Stegelmeier, BL; Gardner, DR; James, LF; Panter, KE; Molyneux, RJ (1996). "The toxic and abortifacient effects of ponderosa pine". Vet. Pathol. 33 (1): 22–8. doi:10.1177/030098589603300103. PMID 8826003. S2CID 19523938.
  3. ^ Burrows, George E.; Tyrl, Ronald J. (2012). Toxic Plants of North America (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781118413388.