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Posted: 28th March 2023


Funding for RCV-led study into umbilical cord torsion
UCT is the most common cause of pregnancy loss in UK thoroughbreds.
The study aims to forward understanding of UCT in thoroughbreds.

Funding has been awarded to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) for the first ever comprehensive study into umbilical cord torsion (UCT) in thoroughbreds. The research is being funded by the Alborada Trust and will build on previous studies undertaken by the RVC. It will investigate the causes of UCT to allow the development of new diagnostic tools to enable veterinary surgeons globally to detect and monitor the condition.

One in 25 UK thoroughbred pregnancies end in abortion, and UCT is the most common cause of this. The condition involves excessive twisting of the umbilical cord and leads to a blockage of the blood supply to the foetus, resulting in the subsequent loss of the pregnancy.

For the study, RVC are collaborating with Cornell University, Rossdales Laboratories and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Researchers aim to improve and update the current diagnostic criteria for UCT using epidemiological modelling. This will allow more reliable comparisons between distinct populations of thoroughbreds within the UK and overseas.

Pregnancy loss attributed to UCT is significantly higher in the UK when compared to the rest of the world, with the exception of Australia. Of particular note, is the difference between the UK and North America, with UK occurrences of UCT being 10 times higher than in the USA.

Researchers hope to enable the accurate diagnosis of the condition and allow the development of new diagnostic tools. Veterinarians will then be able to identify those at risk of suffering UCT pregnancy loss to enable better management of pregnant mares.

Dr Jessica Roach, research fellow at the RVC, said: “This project brings together researchers who are leading their field and I hope that this will allow us to forward our understanding of this condition.”

Amanda de Mestre, professor at Cornell University’s Baker Institute for Animal Health, said: “During her PhD, Dr Roach made some really interesting observations on possible underlying mechanisms that lead to UCT. Building on these excellent foundations, her new research will provide much needed insight into the causes of UCT and develop new diagnostic tools to aid veterinary surgeons in detecting and monitoring the condition, ultimately offering hope for reducing the number of pregnancy losses attributed to UCT.’’

 




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