Homocysteine-Potential Novel Diagnostic Indicator of Health and Disease in Horses.
Authors: Gołyński Marcin, Metyk Michał, Ciszewska Jagoda, Szczepanik Marcin Paweł, Fitch Gareth, Bęczkowski Paweł Marek
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Homocysteine, a sulphur-containing amino acid produced during normal methionine metabolism, has emerged as a clinically significant biomarker in human medicine, where elevated concentrations correlate with thrombotic disease, cardiovascular dysfunction and neurological decline; this Polish research team investigated whether homocysteine might serve a similar diagnostic role in equine patients. Their review synthesised existing evidence from horses alongside findings from other species to map the current understanding of homocysteine's pathophysiological functions in equines. Prior work has identified homocysteine's atherogenic properties, its association with embryonic loss and its capacity to trigger oxidative stress in horses—findings that suggest potential clinical applications beyond simple metabolic monitoring. The authors argue that establishing baseline reference ranges for healthy horses, including those in athletic training, remains a critical knowledge gap that limits interpretation of elevated homocysteine concentrations in diseased populations. For practitioners, the implication is clear: once robust reference intervals are established through population studies, serum homocysteine measurement could become a valuable screening tool for thromboembolism risk, reproductive failure and oxidative stress-related conditions, though current evidence remains preliminary and species-specific validation is essential before clinical adoption.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Homocysteine may become a useful diagnostic marker in equine practice, but standardized reference ranges for healthy horses are needed before clinical application
- •Practitioners should be aware that elevated homocysteine may contribute to reproductive losses and cardiovascular complications, warranting further investigation in at-risk populations
- •Nutritional and metabolic management strategies targeting homocysteine metabolism could potentially improve breeding outcomes and cardiovascular health, pending further research
Key Findings
- •Homocysteine is an endogenous sulfuric amino acid intermediate in methionine metabolism with established atherogenic effects in horses
- •Elevated serum homocysteine is associated with early embryo mortality and induction of oxidative stress in equines
- •Reference ranges for homocysteine in healthy horses, including those in training, have not yet been established
- •While hyperhomocysteinemia is a recognized risk factor for coagulation and cardiovascular disorders in humans, its role in equine health and disease remains incompletely characterized