Age related changes in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in horses.
Abstract: Biochemical markers of bone metabolism were analysed in serum samples obtained from 60 horses with no history of orthopaedic disease (age 3 months-20 years). Serum levels of the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), a marker of bone formation and the pyridinoline cross linked telopeptide domain of type I collagen (ICTP), a putative marker of bone resorption, were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum levels of the bone specific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (BALP), another marker of bone formation, were measured by a wheatgerm agglutinin affinity (WGA) method. Total alkaline phosphatase levels were also determined. Serum levels of PICP were significantly correlated with bone ALP (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001) and ICTP (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001). ICTP levels also correlated significantly with bone ALP (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001). However, total alkaline phosphatase did not correlate significantly with PICP, ICTP and BALP in horses over 1 year of age. There was an inverse correlation between serum levels of all biochemical markers and age of animals, with the most significant changes seen over the first 2 years. In animals less than 1 year of age, the reference ranges (mean +/- s.d. 1.96) were as follows: PICP 1216-2666 micrograms/l, ICTP 13.8-26.7 micrograms/l, bone ALP 134-288 u/l and total ALP 223-498 u/l. In 2-year-olds, the equivalent reference ranges were: PICP 550-1472 micrograms/l, ICTP 7.96-22.8 micrograms/l, bone ALP 32.7-125 u/l and total ALP 134-238 u/l.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1995-05-01 PubMed ID: 7556047DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb03063.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research scrutinizes changes in biochemical marks linked to bone metabolism in horses of varying ages, ranging from 3 months to 20 years. The study indicates a correlation between these markers and the age of the horses, with significant changes occurring within the first two years of their lives.
Objective and Methodology
- This study aimed to investigate the age-related variations in bone metabolism biomarkers in horses. The researchers sampled serum from 60 horses, varying in age from 3 months to 20 years, with no previous history of orthopaedic complications.
- The biochemical markers examined were the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and the pyridinoline cross linked telopeptide domain of type I collagen (ICTP), which are markers of bone formation and resorption respectively.
- In addition, the serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), a bone formation marker, and total alkaline phosphatase were also measured.
- The Radioimmunoassay (RIA) method was employed to measure PICP and ICTP levels, and the Wheat Germ Agglutinin Affinity method was utilized for the measurement of BALP.
Results
- The study showed that serum levels of PICP significantly correlated with that of BALP and ICTP. ICTP levels also showed a significant correlation with BALP.
- The results did not reveal a significant correlation between total alkaline phosphatase levels and PICP, ICTP and BALP in horses over 1 year old.
- An inverse correlation was documented between the serum levels of all biochemical markers and the age of the animals, with the most significant changes visible in the first 2 years.
- Reference ranges for these markers were provided for animals less than 1 year old and for 2-year-olds, showing considerable reduction in these biomarker levels from the first to the second year.
Conclusion
- This research suggests a strong correlation between these biochemical markers of bone metabolism and the age of the horses, indicating significant changes mainly within the first two years.
- The results could assist in understanding bone development in horses and potentially aid in diagnosing and managing age-related bone diseases.
Cite This Article
APA
Price JS, Jackson B, Eastell R, Goodship AE, Blumsohn A, Wright I, Stoneham S, Lanyon LE, Russell RG.
(1995).
Age related changes in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in horses.
Equine Vet J, 27(3), 201-207.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1995.tb03063.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / blood
- Aging / metabolism
- Alkaline Phosphatase / analysis
- Alkaline Phosphatase / blood
- Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
- Animals
- Bone and Bones / chemistry
- Bone and Bones / metabolism
- Collagen / analysis
- Collagen / metabolism
- Collagen Type I
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Horses / metabolism
- Peptide Fragments / analysis
- Peptide Fragments / blood
- Peptide Fragments / metabolism
- Peptides / analysis
- Peptides / metabolism
- Procollagen / analysis
- Procollagen / blood
- Procollagen / metabolism
- Radioimmunoassay
- Wheat Germ Agglutinins
Grant Funding
- Wellcome Trust
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Alsina-Guerrero MM. Blood Reference Intervals for Antillean Manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) from Puerto Rico. Vet Med Int 2022;2022:4305838.
- Alpoim-Moreira J, Fernandes C, Rebordão MR, Costa AL, Bliebernicht M, Nunes T, Szóstek-Mioduchowska A, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. Collagen Type III as a Possible Blood Biomarker of Fibrosis in Equine Endometrium. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 21;12(14).
- Takehana K, Hatate K, Yamagishi N. Serum activities of two bone markers in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at different ages. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Jan 1;80(1):63-67.
- Strand E, Braathen LC, Hellsten MC, Huse-Olsen L, Bjornsdottir S. Radiographic closure time of appendicular growth plates in the Icelandic horse. Acta Vet Scand 2007 Jul 17;49(1):19.
- Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, Courtman N, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):333-346.
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