Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Maple Tree Species in the Netherlands and the Occurrence of Atypical Myopathy in Horses.
- Journal Article
Summary
The study investigates the link between atypical myopathy (AM) in horses and the toxin hypoglycin A found in certain maple tree species in the Netherlands. The research examines the toxin’s concentration across different tree species, and if this concentration can predict the occurrence of the AM disease.
Research Objective
The study’s main goal is to measure hypoglycin A levels in the most common maple species in the Netherlands, and establish if this toxin’s concentration can act as a telltale sign of Atypical Myopathy in horses.
Methodology
- A total of 278 samples consisting of maple tree leaves, sprouts, and seeds were carefully classified by species.
- The average hypoglycin A concentrations were compared according to the sample type, the season, and the presence—or lack thereof—of AM in the pasture.
- Statistical analysis was carried out using a generalized linear model (SPPS22).
Results
- Almost all samples from Acer pseudoplatanus trees contained some amount of hypoglycin A, and concentrations significantly varied among sources.
- Seeds from pastures with AM had notably higher concentrations of the toxin when compared to those from non-AM pastures. Sprouts and leaves, however, did not exhibit this difference.
- Samples from Acer platanoides and Acer campestre did not have detectable levels of hypoglycin A.
Conclusion
- Acer platanoides and Acer campestre tree species appear safe for horses and can be around paddocks and pastures as they do not contain detectable hypoglycin A levels.
- Almost all Acer pseudoplatanus samples contained some degree of hypoglycin A, and all AM cases were found to be associated with this tree species.
- Although pastures with AM featured significantly higher hypoglycin A concentrations in their seeds, the broad standard deviation means that predicting individual instances of AM through toxin measurement isn’t feasible.
Although the research provides useful insights on which tree species are safer for horses, it underscores that the measured hypoglycin A concentrations can’t be a reliable predictor of individual AM cases due to the high standard deviation.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
- RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
- RIKILT-Wageningen UR, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Acer / chemistry
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Hypoglycins / analysis
- Hypoglycins / toxicity
- Muscular Diseases / chemically induced
- Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
- Muscular Diseases / veterinary
- Netherlands / epidemiology
- Plant Leaves / chemistry
- Plant Poisoning / veterinary
- Seeds / chemistry
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Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Sander J, Terhardt M, Janzen N, Renaud B, Kruse CJ, Franu00e7ois AC, Wouters CP, Boemer F, Votion DM. Tissue Specific Distribution and Activation of Sapindaceae Toxins in Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 26;13(15).
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