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Discussion on Research Summary: Injections for Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM)
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Oct 4, 2015 - 11:19 am:
The take home message is injection of a selenium and vitamin E supplement in the neonates did not help with keeping up blood and CSF levels in foals. The article associated with this discussion area gives specific recommendations for preventing Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM) in predisposed foals.
DrO
J Vet Intern Med. 2015 Sep 22.
Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid α-Tocopherol and Selenium Concentrations in Neonatal Foals with Neuroaxonal Dystrophy.
Finno CJ1, Estell KE2, Katzman S2, Winfield L2, Rendahl A3,4, Textor J5, Bannasch DL1, Puschner B6.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (NAD/EDM) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting genetically predisposed foals maintained on α-tocopherol (α-TP)-deficient diet.
OBJECTIVE:
Intramuscular α-TP and selenium (Se) administration at 4 days of age would have no significant effect on serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-TP in healthy foals. Serum and CSF α-TP, but not Se, would be significantly decreased in NAD/EDM-affected foals during first year of life.
ANIMALS:
Fourteen Quarter horse foals; 10 healthy foals supplemented with 0.02 mL/kg injectable α-TP and Se (n = 5) or saline (n = 5) at 4 days of age and 4 unsupplemented NAD/EDM-affected foals.
METHODS:
Complete neurologic examinations were performed, blood and CSF were collected before (4 days of age) and after supplementation at 10, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 360 days of age. Additional blood collections occurred at 90, 150, 210, and 300 days. At 540 days, NAD/EDM-affected foals and 1 unsupplemented healthy foal were euthanized and necropsies performed.
RESULTS:
Significant decreases in blood, CSF α-TP and Se found in the first year of life in all foals, with most significant changes in serum α-TP from 4-150 days. Dam α-TP and Se significantly influenced blood concentrations in foals. Injection of α-TP and Se did not significantly increase CSF Se, blood or CSF α-TP in healthy foals. NAD/EDM-affected foals had significantly lower CSF α-TP through 120 days.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:
Injection of α-TP and Se at 4 days of age does not significantly increase blood or CSF α-TP. Despite all 14 foals remaining deficient in α-TP, only the 4 genetically predisposed foals developed NAD/EDM.
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