Age-related changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-I binding protein-3 and articular cartilage structure in Thoroughbred horses.
Abstract: Structural changes in articular cartilage associated with the ageing process require definition for investigators performing developmental and age-related studies, for which information is lacking. Objective: To 1) determine the onset and end of puberty as defined by serum insulin like growth factor (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) concentrations and 2) correlate articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex structural changes with the onset and end of puberty. Methods: IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured in serum samples from normal female and male horses age 9-715 days to determine peak and steady-state values for horses transitioning through puberty. Osteochondral tissue sections were obtained from horses age 120-840 days (4-28 months) and examined histologically for cartilage canals and tidemark formation. Results: In male and female horses, serum IGF-I/IGFBP-3 concentrations peaked at approximately 225 days, defining the onset of puberty. Cartilage canals were absent from articular cartilage just prior to this time point. IGF-I/IGFBP-3 concentrations declined to steady-state levels at approximately age 450 days, signalling exit from puberty and therefore the beginning of ageing. This time point correlated to initial formation of a tidemark in the osteochondral tissue sections. Conclusions: Horses may be considered pubescent at age 225-450 days, and post pubescent and ageing after age 450 days. Conclusions: Defining the normal post natal to post pubescent concentrations for serum IGF-I and serum IGFBP-3 establishes subsets of animals for age-related studies and may be used to monitor horses for abnormally high IGF-I concentrations due to natural disease or subsequent to systemic growth hormone administration.
Publication Date: 2005-01-18 PubMed ID: 15651732DOI: 10.2746/0425164054406838Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article highlights how serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) concentrations’ changes correlate with structural changes in articular cartilage in Thoroughbred horses during the onset and end of puberty. It indicates that horses are considered pubescent between 225-450 days and begin aging thereafter. These findings can be useful for age-related studies and monitoring horses for abnormally high IGF-I levels due to natural disease or systemic growth hormone administration.
Research Objective
- The main aim of this study was two-fold: Firstly, it sought to determine the onset and end of puberty in Thoroughbred horses by observing concentrations of serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3. Secondly, these hormonal changes were correlated with structural changes in the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex taking place during the same timeframe.
Methods
- The researchers measured IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in serum samples from normal female and male horses aged between 9-715 days. This was done to find peak and steady-state values for horses transitioning through puberty.
- They also obtained osteochondral tissue sections from horses aged 120-840 days and examined them histologically for cartilage canal and tidemark formation, which are indications of structural changes in cartilage linked to aging.
Results
- The study found that in male and female horses, serum IGF-I/IGFBP-3 concentrations peaked at approximately 225 days, indicating the onset of puberty. Cartilage canals were no longer prevalent in the horses’ articular cartilage slightly before this point.
- The steady-state levels of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 were reached at approximately age 450 days, which signaled the end of puberty and the beginning of ageing. This point also correlated with the initial formation of a tidemark in the examined osteochondral tissue sections.
Conclusions
- The age range of 225-450 days can be considered the pubescent period for horses, with the post-pubescent and ageing period commencing after 450 days.
- Defining the normal post-natal to post-pubescent serum concentrations for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 makes it possible to establish subsets of animals for age-related studies.
- These findings can also be useful in monitoring horses for abnormally high IGF-I levels, which could indicate natural diseases or be a result of systemic growth hormone administration.
Cite This Article
APA
Fortier LA, Kornatowski MA, Mohammed HO, Jordan MT, O'Cain LC, Stevens WB.
(2005).
Age-related changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-I binding protein-3 and articular cartilage structure in Thoroughbred horses.
Equine Vet J, 37(1), 37-42.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164054406838 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Aging / blood
- Aging / metabolism
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Biomarkers / blood
- Biomarkers / metabolism
- Cartilage, Articular / growth & development
- Cartilage, Articular / pathology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / blood
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / metabolism
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
- Male
- Sexual Maturation / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Fradinho MJ, Mateus L, Bernardes N, Bessa RJB, Caldeira RM, Ferreira-Dias G. Growth patterns, metabolic indicators and osteoarticular status in the Lusitano horse: A longitudinal study.. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219900.
- Cassano JM, Schnabel LV, Goodale MB, Fortier LA. Inflammatory licensed equine MSCs are chondroprotective and exhibit enhanced immunomodulation in an inflammatory environment.. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018 Apr 3;9(1):82.
- Bryan K, McGivney BA, Farries G, McGettigan PA, McGivney CL, Gough KF, MacHugh DE, Katz LM, Hill EW. Equine skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise and training: evidence of differential regulation of autophagosomal and mitochondrial components.. BMC Genomics 2017 Aug 9;18(1):595.
- Baskerville CL, Bamford NJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Comparison and validation of ELISA assays for plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 in the horse.. Open Vet J 2017;7(1):75-80.
- Wilson B, Novakofski KD, Donocoff RS, Liang YX, Fortier LA. Telomerase Activity in Articular Chondrocytes Is Lost after Puberty.. Cartilage 2014 Oct;5(4):215-20.
- Hurtig MB, Buschmann MD, Fortier LA, Hoemann CD, Hunziker EB, Jurvelin JS, Mainil-Varlet P, McIlwraith CW, Sah RL, Whiteside RA. Preclinical Studies for Cartilage Repair: Recommendations from the International Cartilage Repair Society.. Cartilage 2011 Apr;2(2):137-52.
- Baccarin RY, Pereira MA, Roncati NV, Bergamaschi RR, Hagen SC. Development of osteochondrosis in Lusitano foals: a radiographic study.. Can Vet J 2012 Oct;53(10):1079-84.
- Khan IM, Francis L, Theobald PS, Perni S, Young RD, Prokopovich P, Conlan RS, Archer CW. In vitro growth factor-induced bio engineering of mature articular cartilage.. Biomaterials 2013 Feb;34(5):1478-87.
- Verwilghen DR, Vanderheyden L, Franck T, Busoni V, Enzerink E, Gangl M, Lejeune JP, van Galen G, Grulke S, Serteyn D. Variations of plasmatic concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in post-pubescent horses affected with developmental osteochondral lesions.. Vet Res Commun 2009 Oct;33(7):701-9.
- Asanbaeva A, Masuda K, Thonar EJ, Klisch SM, Sah RL. Regulation of immature cartilage growth by IGF-I, TGF-beta1, BMP-7, and PDGF-AB: role of metabolic balance between fixed charge and collagen network.. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2008 Aug;7(4):263-76.
- Lejeune JP, Franck T, Gangl M, Schneider N, Michaux C, Deby-Dupont G, Serteyn D. Plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in growing Ardenner horses suffering from juvenile digital degenerative osteoarthropathy.. Vet Res Commun 2007 Feb;31(2):185-95.
- Fortier LA, Miller BJ. Signaling through the small G-protein Cdc42 is involved in insulin-like growth factor-I resistance in aging articular chondrocytes.. J Orthop Res 2006 Aug;24(8):1765-72.
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