Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy in Gypsy Vanner horses.
Abstract: Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM) is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects young, genetically predisposed horses that are deficient in vitamin E. Equine NAD/EDM has not previously been documented in Gypsy Vanner horses (GVs). Objective: To evaluate: (1) the clinical phenotype, blood vitamin E concentrations before and after supplementation and pedigree in a cohort of GV horses with a high prevalence of neurologic disease suspicious for eNAD/EDM and (2) to confirm eNAD/EDM in GVs through postmortem evaluation. Methods: Twenty-six GVs from 1 farm in California and 2 cases from the Midwestern U.S. Methods: Prospective observational study on Californian horses; all 26 GVs underwent neurologic examination. Pre-supplementation blood vitamin E concentration was assessed in 17- GVs. Twenty-three were supplemented orally with 10 IU/kg of liquid RRR-alpha-tocopherol once daily for 28 days. Vitamin E concentration was measured in 23 GVs after supplementation, of which 15 (65%) had pre-supplementation measurements. Two clinically affected GVs from California and the 2 Midwestern cases had necropsy confirmation of eNAD/EDM. Results: Pre-supplementation blood vitamin E concentration was ≤2.0 μg/mL in 16/17 (94%) of GVs from California. Post-supplementation concentration varied, with a median of 3.39 μg/mL (range, 1.23-13.87 μg/mL), but only 12/23 (52%) were normal (≥3.0 μg/mL). Normalization of vitamin E was significantly associated with increasing age (P = .02). Euthanized horses (n = 4) had eNAD/EDM confirmed at necropsy. Conclusions: GVs could have a genetic predisposition to eNAD/EDM. Vitamin E supplementation should be considered and monitored in young GVs.
© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2024-04-13 PubMed ID: 38613444PubMed Central: PMC11099697DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17062Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explores a neurodegenerative disease called equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM) in Gypsy Vanner horses, a breed not previously associated with this condition. The study examined clinical symptoms, blood vitamin E levels, and genetic factors in a group of these horses, and confirmed occurrence of eNAD/EDM through post-mortem examinations.
Research Methodology and Objectives
- This research aimed to evaluate the presence and characteristics of eNAD/EDM in Gypsy Vanner horses, particularly those showing neurological symptoms indicative of this disease. It also sought to validate this through post-mortem examinations.
- The study was conducted on a total of 26 Gypsy Vanner horses present on a farm in California, alongside 2 horses from the Midwestern U.S.
- All horses on the California farm were subject to a neurological examination and blood vitamin E concentration tests were performed on 17 of them.
- The majority (23 horses) were provided with a vitamin E supplement for 28 days, and blood vitamin E concentration was again assessed for these horses.
- Fifteen horses in this group had their vitamin E levels tested before supplementation, creating comparative data.
- Necropsies were performed on 2 horses from California and the 2 Midwestern cases to confirm eNAD/EDM.
Research Findings
- It was found that 94% of the sampled horses from California had low pre-supplementation vitamin E concentration.
- After supplementation, there was a significant variance in blood vitamin E concentration, with a median level of 3.39 μg/mL. However, only about half (52%) of the horses reached normal vitamin E concentration levels (≥3.0 μg/mL).
- The normalization of vitamin E levels showed a significant association with the age of the horses, with older horses being more likely to reach normal levels.
- Post-mortem examinations confirmed eNAD/EDM in the four euthanized horses.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- The study concluded that Gypsy Vanner horses could have a genetic predisposition to eNAD/EDM, a finding previously undocumented for this breed.
- Given the correlation found between vitamin E and eNAD/EDM, the researchers suggest vitamin E supplementation as a potential preventive measure or treatment. Especially, vitamin E supplementation should be considered and monitored in young Gypsy Vanner horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Powers A, Peek SF, Reed S, Donnelly CG, Tinkler S, Gasper D, Woolard KD, Finno CJ.
(2024).
Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy in Gypsy Vanner horses.
J Vet Intern Med, 38(3), 1792-1798.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17062 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, 2150 Georgetown Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40511, USA.
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Neuroaxonal Dystrophies / veterinary
- Neuroaxonal Dystrophies / genetics
- Male
- Female
- Horse Diseases
- Prospective Studies
- Vitamin E / therapeutic use
- Vitamin E / blood
- Dietary Supplements
- California
- Pedigree
- Vitamin E Deficiency / veterinary
- Vitamin E Deficiency / complications
Grant Funding
- 22-10 / UC Davis Center for Equine Health
Conflict of Interest Statement
Dr. Carrie J. Finno received speaker honoria and travel accommodations for conferences. There is no conflict with this study and from these meetings. No other author declares a conflict of interest.
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