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REPRODUCTIVE FAILURE OF MICE CAUSED BY PINE NEEDLE INGESTION

Colorado residents of long standing can recall the legend that Indian women used to take an aqueous extract of pine needles to induce abortion. The effects of pine needle ingestion on pregnancy of cattle and mice have been reported by Bruce (1927), MacDonald (1952), Deem, Osborn & Maag (1959, unpublished data reported by Faulkner, 1968), Allen & Kitts (1961), and Cook & Kitts (1964), but the active agent and the effect on reproduction have not been defined. The object of this investigation was to isolate the agent which affects reproduction.

Three fractions (volatile, water-soluble and acetone-soluble) were prepared from needles of yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) collected from Rist Canyon, west of Fort Collins, Colorado, and stored in plastic bags at –20° C. Fractions were prepared as follows.