Detection of hypoglycin A in the seeds of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and box elder (A. negundo) in New Zealand; the toxin associated with cases of equine atypical myopathy.
Abstract: During April and May 2014 four horses aged between 5 months and 9 years, located in the Canterbury, Marlborough and Southland regions, presented with a variety of clinical signs including recumbency, stiffness, lethargy, dehydration, depression, and myoglobinuria suggestive of acute muscle damage. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia and two recovered. In all cases seeds of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) or box elder (A. negundo) were present in the area where the horse had been grazing. Unassigned: The samaras (seeds) of some Acer spp. may contain hypoglycin A, that has been associated with cases of atypical myopathy in Europe and North America. To determine if hypoglycin A is present in the samaras of Acer spp. in New Zealand, samples were collected from trees throughout the country that were associated with historical and/or current cases of atypical myopathy, and analysed for hypoglycin A. Serum samples from the four cases and four unaffected horses were analysed for the presence of hypoglycin A, profiles of acylcarnitines (the definitive diagnosis for atypical myopathy) and activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase.Markedly elevated serum activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, and increased concentrations of selected acylcarnitines were found in the case horses. Hypoglycin A was detected in the serum of those horses but not in the healthy controls. Hypoglycin A was detected in 10/15 samples of samaras from sycamore maple and box elder from throughout New Zealand. Methods: Cases of atypical myopathy were diagnosed on properties where samaras containing hypoglycin A were also found. Conclusions: Sycamore and box elder trees in New Zealand are a source of hypoglycin A associated with the development of atypical myopathy. If pastured horses present with clinical and biochemical signs of severe muscle damage then the environment should be checked for the presence of these trees. Horses should be prevented from grazing samaras from Acer spp. in the autumn.
Publication Date: 2015-12-20 PubMed ID: 26593855DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2015.1123123Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Case Reports
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research study discusses the presence of hypoglycin A, a potent toxin, in the seeds of sycamore maple and box elder trees in New Zealand, and its association with cases of atypical myopathy – a fatal muscle disorder, in horses.
Research Methodology
In the course of this research, a stratified sampling of tree seeds was done across New Zealand coupled with an examination of historical and current cases of equine atypical myopathy. Furthermore, blood samples from affected horses and healthy controls were taken and analysed for the presence of hypoglycin A and specific profiles of acylcarnitines—the established diagnostic markers for atypical myopathy.
- Four horses presenting symptoms consistent with acute muscle damage were identified, and cases of atypical myopathy were reported where sycamore maple seeds (a known source of hypoglycin A) were present.
- Seeds were collected from trees across New Zealand associated with these atypical myopathy cases and analysed for the presence of hypoglycin A.
- Notably, serum samples were taken from the affected horses and were compared with samples from four unaffected horses. The serum was tested for hypoglycin A, as well as specific profiles of acylcarnitines and activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase—both being important indicators of muscle damage.
Findings
The serum analysis found high activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, an increased concentration of selected acylcarnitine profiles, and the presence of hypoglycin A in the diseased horses but not in the healthy controls.
- Hypoglycin A was detected in 10 out of 15 samples collected from the seeds of sycamore maple and box elder trees located throughout New Zealand.
- The analysis showed a clear link between the instances of atypical myopathy in horses and areas where samaras – seeds of some Acer species – containing hypoglycin A were present. This confirmed the suspicion that sycamore and box elder trees could be a source of the hypoglycin A associated with this disease.
Implications
Based on the results, in instances of horses exhibiting clinical and biochemical signs of severe muscle damage, the environment should be analysed for the presence of sycamore and box elder trees. Horses should be prevented from grazing on Acer species’ seeds, especially in the autumn. By doing so, the risk of horses contracting atypical myopathy can be significantly reduced.
Cite This Article
APA
McKenzie RK, Hill FI, Habyarimana JA, Boemer F, Votion DM.
(2015).
Detection of hypoglycin A in the seeds of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and box elder (A. negundo) in New Zealand; the toxin associated with cases of equine atypical myopathy.
N Z Vet J, 64(3), 182-187.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2015.1123123 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- a Matamata Veterinary Services , 26 Tainui St, Matamata 3400 , New Zealand.
- b Gribbles Veterinary Pathology , PO Box 536, Palmerston North 4440 , New Zealand.
- c Department of Functional Sciences, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Liège , Belgium.
- d Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Human Genetics, CHU Liège , University of Liège , Belgium.
- e Equine Pole, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Liège , Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Acer / chemistry
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Hypoglycins / chemistry
- Hypoglycins / toxicity
- Male
- Muscular Diseases / chemically induced
- Muscular Diseases / veterinary
- New Zealand / epidemiology
- Plants, Toxic / chemistry
- Plants, Toxic / toxicity
- Seeds / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Engel AM, El-Khatib AH, Klevenhusen F, Weiss M, Aboling S, Sachse B, Schäfer B, Weigel S, Pieper R, Fischer-Tenhagen C. Detection of Hypoglycin A and MCPrG Metabolites in the Milk and Urine of Pasture Dairy Cows after Intake of Sycamore Seedlings. J Agric Food Chem 2023 Jul 19;71(28):10751-10760.
- Renaud B, François AC, Boemer F, Kruse C, Stern D, Piot A, Petitjean T, Gustin P, Votion DM. Grazing Mares on Pasture with Sycamore Maples: A Potential Threat to Suckling Foals and Food Safety through Milk Contamination. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 5;11(1).
- Bunert C, Langer S, Votion DM, Boemer F, Müller A, Ternes K, Liesegang A. Atypical myopathy in Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) associated with ingestion of hypoglycin A. J Anim Sci 2018 Jul 28;96(8):3537-3547.
- Boemer F, Detilleux J, Cello C, Amory H, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Richard E, van Galen G, van Loon G, Lefère L, Votion DM. Acylcarnitines profile best predicts survival in horses with atypical myopathy. PLoS One 2017;12(8):e0182761.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
