Untargeted Metabolomics Profiling Reveals Exercise Intensity-Dependent Alterations in Thoroughbred Racehorses' Plasma after Routine Conditioning Sessions.

Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses undergo rigorous conditioning programs to optimize their physical and mental capabilities through varied exercise sessions. While conventional investigations focus on limited hematological and biochemical parameters, this field study employed untargeted metabolomics to comprehensively assess metabolic responses triggered by exercise sessions routinely used in TB conditioning. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-exercise from ten racehorses, divided into two groups based on exercise intensity: high intensity ( = 6, gallop at ± 13.

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

Reasons For Performing Study: Ingestion of sycamore seeds (Acer pseudoplatanus) is the likely source of hypoglycin A in atypical myopathy (AM) but ingestion of seedlings in spring might also contribute to intoxication.

Objectives: To test for hypoglycin A in seeds and seedlings collected on pastures where AM cases were reported and compare its concentration in serum of affected and healthy horses.

Study Design: Field investigation of clinical cases.

Identification of methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid in serum of European horses with atypical myopathy.

Reasons For Performing Study: It is hypothesised that European atypical myopathy (AM) has a similar basis as seasonal pasture myopathy in North America, which is now known to be caused by ingestion of hypoglycin A contained in seeds from the tree Acer negundo. Serum from horses with seasonal pasture myopathy contained the conjugated toxic metabolite of hypoglycin A, methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid (MCPA).

Study Design: Retrospective study on archived samples.

European outbreaks of atypical myopathy in grazing equids (2006-2009): spatiotemporal distribution, history and clinical features.

Reasons For Performing Study: Improved understanding of the epidemiology of atypical myopathy (AM) will help to define the environmental factors that permit or support the causal agent(s) to exert toxicity.

Objectives: This European survey of AM aimed to describe spatiotemporal distribution, survival, clinical signs, circumstances in which AM develops and its different expressions between countries and over time.

Methods: The spatiotemporal distribution, history and clinical features of AM cases reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group from 2006 to 2009 were described.

European outbreaks of atypical myopathy in grazing horses (2006-2009): determination of indicators for risk and prognostic factors.

Reasons For Performing Study: Appropriate management of atypical myopathy (AM) requires the establishment of an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, preventive measures to avoid AM need to be refined.

Objectives: The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to improve the diagnosis of AM; 2) to identify prognostic predictors; and 3) to refine recommended preventive measures based on indicators of risk factors.