ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PLASMA VITAMIN-E CONCENTRATION AND THE RISK OF EQUINE MOTOR-NEURON DISEASE

Citation
R. Delaruadomenech et al., ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PLASMA VITAMIN-E CONCENTRATION AND THE RISK OF EQUINE MOTOR-NEURON DISEASE, Veterinary journal, 154(3), 1997, pp. 203-213
Citations number
49
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Sciences
Journal title
ISSN journal
10900233
Volume
154
Issue
3
Year of publication
1997
Pages
203 - 213
Database
ISI
SICI code
1090-0233(1997)154:3<203:ABPVCA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
Equine motor neuron disease (EMDN) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the somatic lower motor neurons that results in a syndrome of diffuse neuromuscular disease in the adult horse. The aetiology of this disord er is unknown, although prior studies have suggested that a deficiency in the lipid antioxidant vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) contributes to the development of EMND. This paper describes a case-control study des igned to investigate the association between plasma vitamin E levels a nd the risk of EMND for horses. Signalment, plasma vitamin E levels at the time of referral, and information relative to dietary and managem ent practices were collected from 53 horses diagnosed with EMND and 69 controls. The mean plasma vitamin E concentration in EMND cases was s ignificantly lower than that of control horses. After controlling-for other risk factors of EMND, there was a statistically significant asso ciation between plasma vitamin E levels and EMND, with the likelihood of the disease increasing as the vitamin E concentration decreased. Th ese findings support the reported role of vitamin E deficiency as one of the risk factors for EMND.