Serially determined plasma α-tocopherol concentrations and results of the oral vitamin E absorption test in clinically normal horses and in horses with degenerative myeloencephalopathy

Abstract

SUMMARY Plasma α-tocopherol (vitamin E) values were monitored serially in 9 foals sired by a stallion with equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) and in 5 agematched control foals (sired by a clinically normal stallion) raised in the same environment for the first year of life. Clinical evaluation determined that 8 of the 9 foals sired by the stallion with EDM had neurologic deficits consistent with the disease on one or more occasions during the study period, whereas control foals had normal gait. From 6 weeks to 10 months of age, plasma α-tocopherol values in foals with signs of EDM were significantly ( P < 0.001) lower than those in control foals. An oral vitamin E absorption test was performed, and results for 8 of the affected horses and the affected stallion were compared with results for 4 of the monitored control horses and 4 additional control horses. Significant differences were not evident in any of the absorption indices. On the basis of data from this study and supported by reported prophylactic and therapeutic benefits of supplemented vitamin E, low plasma concentration of vitamin E is concluded to be a factor in the development of EDM in the first year of life of hereditarily predisposed foals. It was also concluded that the significantly lower α-tocopherol values seen in the foals in this study did not reflect a primary gastrointestinal tract absorption problem.