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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2014; 28(4); 1289-1293; doi: 10.1111/jvim.12367

Hypoglycin A concentrations in seeds of Acer pseudoplatanus trees growing on atypical myopathy-affected and control pastures.

Abstract: Hypoglycin A, found in seeds of Acer negundo, appears to cause seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM) in North America and is implicated in atypical myopathy (AM) in Europe. Acer negundo is uncommon in Europe. Thus, the potential source of hypoglycin A in Europe is unknown. Objective: We hypothesized that seeds of Acer pseudoplatanus were the source of hypoglycin A in Europe. Our objective was to determine the concentration of hypoglycin A in seeds of A. pseudoplatanus trees located in pastures where previous cases of AM had occurred. Methods: None. Methods: University of Berne records were searched to retrospectively identify 6 farms with 10 AM cases and 11 suspected AM deaths between 2007 and 2011. During October 2012, A. pseudoplatanus seeds were collected from 2 to 6 trees per pasture on 6 AM farms (7 pastures) from trees in or close to 2 pastures on 2 control farms where AM had not been previously reported. Hypoglycin A in seeds was analyzed by GC-MS. Results: Acer pseudoplatanus trees were identified on all AM pastures. Hypoglycin A was detected in all A. pseudoplatanus seeds in highly variable concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 2.81 μg/mg (mean 0.69) on AM farms and 0.10 to 9.12 μg/mg (mean 1.59) on control farms. Conclusions: Preventing horses from grazing pastures containing A. pseudoplatanus seeds during late fall and early spring might be the best means to prevent AM.
Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2014-05-26 PubMed ID: 24863395PubMed Central: PMC4857957DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12367Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigated the potential link between hypoglycin A found in seeds of Acer pseudoplatanus trees and atypical myopathy (AM), a disease found in horses in Europe. The study found that these trees and the hypothesized toxin were present in pastures where AM had occurred, suggesting that preventing horses from grazing these trees’ seeds may help prevent the disease.

Objective and Hypothesis

  • The researchers hypothesized that Acer pseudoplatanus, common in Europe, might be the source of hypoglycin A, a toxin linked to a disease called atypical myopathy (AM) in horses.
  • The aim of the research was to establish the concentration of hypoglycin A in seeds of A. pseudoplatanus trees in pastures where past cases of AM had been reported.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used data from the University of Berne to identify six farms with a recorded history of AM cases (10 confirmed and 11 suspected) between 2007 and 2011.
  • In October 2012, they collected A. pseudoplatanus seeds from 2 to 6 trees per pasture on the identified farms.
  • For control comparison, the researchers also collected seeds from two farms where no AM cases had been reported before.
  • These seeds were later analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect and calculate the concentration of hypoglycin A.

Research Results

  • A. pseudoplatanus trees were found in all pastures with a history of AM.
  • All A. pseudoplatanus seeds analysed contained hypoglycin A, albeit in variable concentrations.
  • The concentration of hypoglycin A ranged from 0.04 to 2.81 μg/mg (mean 0.69) on AM farms, and 0.10 to 9.12 μg/mg (mean 1.59) on control farms.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The research concluded that there was a link between these European trees and the disease, corroborating the role of hypoglycin A in the disease’s occurrence.
  • As a preventative measure, the researchers suggest that horses should not be allowed to graze in pastures hosting A. pseudoplatanus trees, especially during late fall and early spring when chances of disease occurrence might be highest.

Cite This Article

APA
Unger L, Nicholson A, Jewitt EM, Gerber V, Hegeman A, Sweetman L, Valberg S. (2014). Hypoglycin A concentrations in seeds of Acer pseudoplatanus trees growing on atypical myopathy-affected and control pastures. J Vet Intern Med, 28(4), 1289-1293. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12367

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
Pages: 1289-1293

Researcher Affiliations

Unger, L
  • Division of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Suisse Institute for Equine Medicine (ISME), Vetsuisse Faculty, ALP Haras, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Nicholson, A
    Jewitt, E M
      Gerber, V
        Hegeman, A
          Sweetman, L
            Valberg, S

              MeSH Terms

              • Acer / chemistry
              • Animal Husbandry
              • Animals
              • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
              • Horses
              • Hypoglycins / analysis
              • Hypoglycins / toxicity
              • Muscular Diseases / chemically induced
              • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
              • Rhabdomyolysis / chemically induced
              • Rhabdomyolysis / veterinary
              • Seeds / chemistry

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