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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / Assessment of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and ...
Veterinary medicine and science2023; 9(5); 2070-2077; doi: 10.1002/vms3.1198

Assessment of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and PTH levels in sera of lame horses.

Abstract: Minerals play vital roles in physiologic processes. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are common minerals. Secretion, absorption and homeostasis of these minerals are affected by associations between the active vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH). The aim of this study was to assess concentrations of vitamin D, PTH and minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in horse sera, as well as associations of these values with lameness in horses. In the references, the reasons for lameness can be deficiency and imbalance of minerals, and clinical observations also confirm this and there is still not enough information regarding the relationship between mineral imbalance and lameness of horses. The prominent forms of lameness include navicular syndrome, back pain, splints, ring bone, side bone, non-infectious arthritis and bucked shins. Deficiency and inadequacy of calcium, phosphorous and magnesium have been regarded as predisposing and aggravating factors of the aforementioned diseases. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 60 horses, including 30 lame and 30 healthy adult horses, summer to fall 2021. Levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and PTH were assessed in sera using automatic analyser, atomic absorption spectroscopy and commercially available kits. The average level of calcium was higher healthy horses than lame horses in the two seasons (p < 0.001). The average level of inorganic phosphorus in horses was higher in summer than autumn (p < 0.001). The mean magnesium concentration in healthy horses was greater than lame horses in the two seasons (p < 0.01). In this study, the mean PTH concentration in healthy horses was lower in fall than summer (p < 0.05). The low average levels of calcium and magnesium in lame horses in the two seasons indicate critical roles of calcium and magnesium in the normal function of the horse musculoskeletal system as well as prevention of lameness.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-07-19 PubMed ID: 37466035PubMed Central: PMC10508493DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1198Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study examines the correlation between the levels of certain minerals, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the blood of horses and lameness in these animals. The findings suggest that lower levels of calcium and magnesium may play a role in developing lameness in horses.

Introduction and Objectives

  • The study aimed to measure the levels of three minerals — calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium — along with vitamin D and PTH in the blood serum of horses. These elements are critical in numerous physiological functions in the body.
  • The research also intended to correlate these values with lameness in horses. Lameness, a common condition in horses, can stem from an imbalance of these minerals. Conditions such as navicular syndrome, back pain, non-infectious arthritis, and others have been linked to inadequate levels of these minerals. Nonetheless, data regarding the relationship between mineral levels and lameness in horses is insufficient.

Methods

  • The study employed a cross-sectional design and was carried out on a pool of 60 adult horses, half of which were lame, and the other half healthy. The research took place over summer and fall in 2021.
  • The team evaluated the levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and PTH in horse serum using an automatic analyzer, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and commercial testing kits.

Results

  • The average level of calcium was found to be higher in healthy horses as compared to lame ones, across both seasons (p < 0.001).
  • In both groups of horses, the phosphate levels were higher in summer as opposed to fall (p < 0.001).
  • The average level of magnesium was also higher in healthy horses than in lame ones, in both seasons (p < 0.01).
  • The PTH levels in healthy horses were lower in fall compared to summer (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

  • The findings show that the average levels of calcium and magnesium were lower in lame horses compared to healthy ones in both seasons. This suggests that these minerals might play crucial roles in maintaining the normal function of the horse musculoskeletal system and could potentially aid in preventing lameness.
  • Despite these findings, more research would be beneficial to further understand the role these minerals and hormones play in equine health and lameness. Extensive studies could also determine if supplements could help prevent or mitigate lameness in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Etemadi F, Tabatabaei Naeini A, Aminlari M. (2023). Assessment of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and PTH levels in sera of lame horses. Vet Med Sci, 9(5), 2070-2077. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1198

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
Pages: 2070-2077

Researcher Affiliations

Etemadi, Fatemeh
  • Department of Surgery and Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Tabatabaei Naeini, Aboutorab
  • Department of Surgery and Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Aminlari, Mahmoud
  • Department of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin D
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Lameness, Animal
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Minerals
  • Vitamins
  • Horse Diseases

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there is no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
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