Porcine Mulberry Heart Disease Study Guide
Overview and Clinical Importance
Mulberry Heart Disease (MHD) is a nutritional myopathy of swine caused primarily by vitamin E and/or selenium deficiency. It is characterized by sudden death in fast-growing, healthy-appearing pigs, typically 3-16 weeks of age. The condition derives its name from the characteristic mottled, hemorrhagic appearance of the heart at necropsy, resembling a mulberry. MHD represents one of the most common causes of sudden death in nursery and grower pigs and is a high-yield topic for the NAVLE.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
Role of Vitamin E and Selenium
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and selenium function as critical antioxidants in cellular metabolism. Vitamin E is a membrane-bound antioxidant that prevents lipid peroxidation, while selenium is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), an enzyme that reduces hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides to water and alcohols.
When deficiency occurs, toxic oxidation products including free radicals and hydrogen peroxide accumulate in tissues. Heart muscle is particularly sensitive to oxidative damage due to its high metabolic rate and oxygen consumption. The resulting oxidative stress leads to:
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