Isocupressic Acid (ICA)

Isocupressic acid is a diterpene acid present in a variety of conifer needles. It induces abortion in cattle. It is found in all parts of the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), especially the needles. This gives its toxic and abortifacient effects. It is also present in the lodgepole pine (P. contorta), the jeffrey pine (P. jeffreyi) and possibly in the monterey pine (P. radiata).
Subsequently, all but two births were normal as evaluated by post natal veterinary examination. In conclusion, ICA showed no adverse effects on oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryo development in vitro or subsequent viability in vivo using the ICA concentrations and in vitro culture parameters of this study.