Mycotoxin study Canada seeking horse farms to help
| Mycotoxin study - Canada seeking horse farms to help Researchers in Canada are seeking horse farms to help them with their study of mycotoxicosis. Mycotoxins are produced by molds that may be present in the horses' feed. Consumption of high levels of mycotoxins in contaminated feed or forage can result in sudden, severe signs of disease. When smaller amounts are consumed over a longer time-scale the signs are often less obvious, but may include poor performance or reproductive disorders. |  |
Melissa Mortson, fourth year student in the B.Sc. Animal Biology program in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Guelph, is conducting a research survey of horses farms, under the supervision of Dr Trevor Smith.
The aim of the study is to identify a potential biomarker in the blood that will allow the detection of possible early exposure to mycotoxins.
"Such a test would be valuable", she explains, "as it would make it possible to identify if a horse had been exposed to mycotoxins before signs of disease appear."
"Some mycotoxin-specific biomarkers have been identified already, but it is necessary to determine a more general marker that will reflect exposure to a wide range of mycotoxins."
The researchers are currently recruiting interested horse farms. They plan to take hay and concentrate samples from each farm, along with a blood sample from one of the horses.
"Trevor Smith and I are looking for farms preferably in southern Ontario since I will be driving to each one to collect samples" Melissa adds. "Enrolment is currently open, as we are waiting to see how many farms will be interested in participating."
Each farm that does take part in the study will receive the results of the analysis from their farm and will be kept informed of the progress of the study as it is completed.
For those interested in participating or for more information please contact:
Melissa Mortson,
mmortson@uoguelph.ca
Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph
Added on: 27/01/09.
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