Ergot Alkaloids in Feedstuff

Lab Section	Toxicology
Test Description	HPLC quantitation of five ergopeptine alkaloids (ergosine, ergotamine, ergocornine, ergocryptine, ergocristine) that are generally associated with Claviceps purpurea (ergot)
Species	Not applicable

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Sample Type	Feedstuffs
Container	Sealed leak-proof container (Ziploc bag preferred)
Special Submission Instructions	Representative sampling is essential. Provide 250-450 grams (0.5-1 lb.) of sample; quart-size bag of grains (corn, wheat, rye, etc.) or gallon-size bag of forages (hay, grass, silage, etc.). If only a small sample is available for testing, contact the lab prior to shipping. For forage sample (e.g. hay or grass) or samples that contains a forage (e.g. complete ration that contains hay) the Ergot/Fescue Alkaloids in Feedstuffs is the most appropriate test. Forage sample or samples that contain forage which are submitted only for Ergot Alkaloids in Feedstuff will automatically be tested for Ergot/Fescue Alkaloids in Feedstuffs and charged as such.
Turnaround time	7-10 business days

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and Missouri’s only laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Tier I Lab of the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Response Network, and a National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized lab. The VMDL maintains an effective quality assurance and quality control program.

The VMDL has formal anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, and clinical microbiology training programs. The VMDL faculty hold academic appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. The director is administratively responsible to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for the overall operation of the laboratory and its multiple missions of public service, teaching, research and continuing education/extension.

The VMDL faculty and staff work diligently to provide relevant, timely and cost-effective diagnostic services to our clients and to create a positive learning environment for our students and residents. In 2024, veterinarians, animal owners and researchers from 103 Missouri counties and cities, as well as from 51 states and provinces outside Missouri, continued to rely on the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (VMDL) diagnostic services. The lab performed approximately 63,500 total cases and conducted nearly 204,500 tests.