Cartilage canals in equine articular/epiphyseal growth cartilage and a possible association with dyschondroplasia.

This study explores the presence and lifespan of cartilage canals in horses’ articular/epiphyseal growth cartilage and investigates a possible association between these canals and an equine condition known as dyschondroplasia.

Study Details and Findings

• The study subjects comprised of growth cartilages from 30 healthy horses (130 days gestation to 2 years old) and 6 cases of dyschondroplasia (age less than 15 months).
• For the first time, the presence and duration of cartilage canals in a horse’s developing articular/epiphyseal cartilage is being described.
• These cartilage canals were found in the horse’s epiphysis as early as 130 days gestation and they contained the vascular elements needed for the maintenance of epiphyseal growth cartilage.
• The secondary centres of ossification had developed by 250 days gestation, and the articular/epiphyseal cartilage was highly vascularised by full term, approximately 340 days.
• These cartilage canals were closely enclosed by small round chondrocytes, even when they were present in the hypertrophic chondrocytes’ zone.

Further Observations

• From late gestation until at least ten weeks old, the researchers found blood vessels encased by cartilage extending beyond the hypertrophic chondrocytes’ domain into the secondary ossification centre.
• Cartilage canals were absent in the standard articular/epiphyseal cartilage of equines older than six months.
• Cartilage canals were associated with retained cartilage found in dyschondroplastic lesions in equines less than 15 months old.

Conclusion

• The association between cartilage canals and dyschondroplastic lesions suggests that cartilage canals might play a role in the development of dyschondroplasia, a significant disease in horses.