Assessment of tuber coxae bone biopsy in the standing horse.

This study presents a new biopsy technique for standing horses that minimally disturbs the animal, while yielding large, high-quality bone samples for analysis. The procedure was conducted on ten thoroughbred horses, with no significant complications reported.

Research Methods

• The researchers carried out an experimental, prospective study on ten thoroughbred horses.
• The biopsy was performed on standing, sedated horses, specifically from the tuber coxae (hip bone).
• An oscillating saw was used to obtain the biopsies.
• Each horse went through two rounds of biopsies, separated by 60-day intervals.
• The samples obtained were individually evaluated using micro-computed tomography (microCT), a technology which allows high-resolution 3D imaging of the bone structure.
• The first biopsy from each horse was prepared for decalcified histology, a process which involves removing the calcium from the sample to allow for better examination of the tissue. The second biopsy was reserved for undecalcified histology, affording the researchers the ability to evaluate the tissue in its natural, mineralized form.

Research Findings

• The biopsy technique was well tolerated by the horses and did not result in any significant complications.
• The quality of the bone samples obtained was found to be good for histological examination, which involves studying the microscopic anatomy of biological tissues.

Research Conclusion

• The research conclusively proved that cortical (hard outer layer of bones) and trabecular (spongy inner layer bones) bone biopsies can be successfully collected from the tuber coxe of a standing horse.
• The procedure carries minimal risk to the horse and allows for sequential samples: this means more than one sample can be taken over time, adding to the scientific reliability of results.
• The size of the biopsies obtained were larger than those attained from previous techniques and were found to be adequate in size for multiple histologic sections.
• On examination with microCT and light microscopy (which uses visible light to observe microscopic structures), the architecture of the bone samples were found to be intact and undamaged.