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Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome
 

Daily Briefing, May 15, 2001

May 15, 2001, 5:00 p.m. EDT

Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome Briefing
UK College of Agriculture

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The numerous scientific investigative teams continue to focus upon our number one priority of determining the cause of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. At this juncture, the investigative teams are concentrating upon insults to pasture as the primary target including 1) ergot alkaloids produced by fungi 2) several mycotoxins, including but not limited to zearalenone 3) phyto estrogens and 4) other compounds in the pasture grasses.

The scientific teams feel confident that Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome is not an infectious or contagious disease and that it is highly likely that the climatic conditions earlier this year set the stage for an environmental agent, most likely in pasture, to appear. The teams do not believe at this time that the causal agent is in the water or purchased feed. Climatological data for this past year, especially the last several months is being analyzed and the preliminary information has been posted on our web-site today. Additional weather data is continuing to be analyzed.

The epidemiological survey team is being expanded, as three USDA veterinarians will be assisting with creation of this second farm survey, data collection and analysis. In addition, this team will aid in analysis of data collected from the UK Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center. The epidemiological survey will be designed to take a thorough look at numerous issues, including breed differences, mowing patterns, fertilization patterns, pasture management procedures, pasture composition, horse management procedures and much more. The farms to be surveyed  will include both infected and non-infected farms.

We are adding a new item to our web-site called "Field Reports from Farm Managers", which will be updates from local horse farms on their individual situations to aid in general communications about Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome.