Samaras and seedlings of Acer pseudoplatanus are potential sources of hypoglycin A intoxication in atypical myopathy without necessarily inducing clinical signs.

The research article focuses on the hazardous substance hypoglycin A found in sycamore seeds and seedlings of Acer pseudoplatanus, which is identified as a cause of atypical myopathy (AM) in horses. The study explores and draws correlations between the presence of hypoglycin A and the health of horses.

Objective and Methodology

• The objective was to analyze and compare the concentration of hypoglycin A in the seeds and seedlings collected from where AM cases were reported, as well as in the blood of diseased and healthy horses.
• The researchers conducted a field investigation through which they gathered samaras (the winged nuts containing seeds) or seedlings from the pastures of 8 horses affected by AM and 5 unaffected horses located on different premises.
• Two AM-affected horses were sharing their grazing space with healthy horses. The researchers quantified hypoglycin A and acylcarnitines (a group of metabolites) in the blood samples of all horses participating in the study.

Results

• Hypoglycin A was discovered in the serum of AM-affected horses, but not in healthy horses that weren’t in contact with Acer pseudoplatanus trees.
• Despite showing no clinical signs, one healthy horse who had been grazing in an area with Acer pseudoplatanus seedlings and samaras had a high concentration of hypoglycin A in its blood, along with 2 other healthy horses sharing pasture with AM-affected horses.
• All samples of Acer pseudoplatanus seeds and spring seedlings had traces of hypoglycin A.

Conclusions

• Sycamore samaras and seedling ingestion has been associated with AM occurrence.
• The research suggests that horses can have hypoglycin A in their blood without showing any clinical symptoms, particularly when grazing in pastures with Acer pseudoplatanus trees.
• The study highlights that measuring the concentration of hypoglycin A in a horse’s blood can be a useful indicator for exposure and potential risk of AM. In this way, it could assist in early detection and potentially preventative measures.