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Home / Equine Research Bank / Toxins (Basel) / First evidence of placental transfer of ochratoxin A in hors...
Toxins2013; 5(1); 84-92; doi: 10.3390/toxins5010084

First evidence of placental transfer of ochratoxin A in horses.

Abstract: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a renal mycotoxin and transplacental genotoxic carcinogen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural occurrence of OTA in equine blood samples and its placental transfer. For the assessment of OTA levels, serum samples were collected from 12 stallions, 7 cycling mares and 17 pregnant mares. OTA was found in 83% of serum samples (median value = 121.4 pg/mL). For the assessment of placental transfer, serum samples were collected from the 17 mares after delivery and from the umbilical cords of their foals, after foaling. Fourteen serum samples from pregnant mares contained OTA (median value = 106.5 pg/mL), but only 50% of their foals were exposed (median values = 96.6 pg/mL). HPLC analysis carried out on four serum samples (collected from two mares and their respective foals) supported the ELISA results on OTA placental transfer. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of OTA in horse serum samples and placental transfer in horses.
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Publication Date: 2013-01-11 PubMed ID: 23344453PubMed Central: PMC3564070DOI: 10.3390/toxins5010084Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study focuses on investigating the occurrence of a harmful toxin called Ochratoxin A (OTA) in the blood of horses and its transfer from pregnant mares to their foals through the placenta. The research analysis displays that OTA was present in most of the horse serum samples, out of which, half of the newborn foals were exposed to OTA.

Research Context and Objective

  • Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a highly potent toxin that poses significant health risks to both humans and animals. It is produced by certain species of fungi and is often found in food products.
  • This research marks the first-ever study focusing on understanding the presence of OTA in the blood samples of horses and its potential transfer from a pregnant mare to her foal via the placenta.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved the collection and analysis of blood serum samples from 12 stallions, 7 cycling mares, and 17 pregnant mares.
  • For exploring the possibility of OTA’s transference through the placenta, blood samples from the 17 pregnant mares were collected post-delivery, along with serum samples from their foals’ umbilical cords.
  • ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) testing and HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis were conducted on these samples to detect and quantify the presence of OTA.

Findings

  • The research findings reported OTA presence in a majority (83%) of horse serum samples with a median value of 121.4 pg/mL.
  • Among the serum samples from pregnant mares, an OTA presence was identified (median value = 106.5 pg/mL), and half of their foals were exposed to the toxin (median values = 96.6 pg/mL).

Implication and Conclusion

  • The findings provide first-hand evidence of the natural occurrence and transference of OTA in horses, asserting the risk factors associated with this potent renal mycotoxin and carcinogen.
  • The study also poses a potential health risk to foals, who have been found to be exposed to the toxin through placental transfer.
  • The results might trigger the development of strategies looking to mitigate the risk associated with OTA in horses and possibly in other species too.

Cite This Article

APA
Minervini F, Giannoccaro A, Nicassio M, Panzarini G, Lacalandra GM. (2013). First evidence of placental transfer of ochratoxin A in horses. Toxins (Basel), 5(1), 84-92. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins5010084

Publication

Toxins
ISSN: 2072-6651
NlmUniqueID: 101530765
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 1
Pages: 84-92

Researcher Affiliations

Minervini, Fiorenza
  • Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Council of Research, Via Amendola 122/O, Bari 70125, Italy. fiorenza.minervini@ispa.cnr.it
Giannoccaro, Alessandra
    Nicassio, Michele
      Panzarini, Giuseppe
        Lacalandra, Giovanni Michele

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Newborn / blood
          • Animals, Newborn / metabolism
          • Carcinogens / pharmacokinetics
          • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
          • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
          • Female
          • Fetal Blood / chemistry
          • Horses / physiology
          • Male
          • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
          • Mycotoxins / blood
          • Mycotoxins / pharmacokinetics
          • Ochratoxins / blood
          • Ochratoxins / pharmacokinetics
          • Placenta / metabolism
          • Pregnancy

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 8 times.
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