Project Goals

Specific Goals and Objectives

Our hypothesis is that seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM) in North America and atypical myopathy in northern Europe are caused by seasonal ingestion of a toxin in box elder tree seeds, hypolycin A. We believe we can detect ingestion of hypoglycin A by measuring toxin levels in horses’ blood and urine. Exposed and early clinical cases may also be detected by monitoring serum creatine kinase activity.

Objectives:

1. Develop an online, central database for SPM/AM cases throughout North America Determine if European and North American species of Acer tree seeds are located on all affected premises
2. Determine if European and North American Acer seeds show higher levels of toxin concentration on affected premises as compared to unaffected premises at the same time of year
3. Develop blood/urine tests that readily diagnose the exposure to the toxinthat causes SPM
4. Determine horses’ relative risk for developing SPM/AM by assessing environmental factors, management practices, serum creatine kinase activity, and serum toxin levels concurrently

Funding source: This research is funded by the Minnesota Rapid Agricultural Response Fund.