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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Degenerative Changes in MCP/MTP Joints of Working Horses Wit...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(23); 3392; doi: 10.3390/ani15233392

Degenerative Changes in MCP/MTP Joints of Working Horses Without Lameness: Integrating CT-Based Assessment and Synovial Fluid Biomarkers.

Abstract: Working horses often develop distinct patterns of joint degeneration, yet research in this population remains limited. This study aimed to characterize degenerative changes in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints of Serbian Mountain Horses using computed tomography (CT) and to explore their associations with synovial fluid (SF) biomarkers. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 32 MCP/MTP joints from eight clinically sound horses. Postmortem, joints underwent CT imaging, and SF samples were analyzed for viscosity, protein content, total nucleated cell count (TNCC), and oxidative stress biomarkers, along with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Subchondral sclerosis was present in all joints, occurring more frequently in horses aged less than nine years. Osteophytosis was observed in two-thirds of joints, and its severity correlated significantly with body weight. Both changes were localized on the medial and lateral condyles and were associated with elevated TNCC, while osteophytosis was linked to increased total oxidant status and oxidative stress index. Relatively low levels of β-hydroxybutyrate appear as a main interactive factor for both changes. No associations were found with MMP activity. These findings indicate that clinically sound working horses commonly exhibit early degenerative joint changes accompanied by mild increases in TNCC and oxidative stress biomarkers.
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Publication Date: 2025-11-24 PubMed ID: 41375451PubMed Central: PMC12691147DOI: 10.3390/ani15233392Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated degenerative changes in the finger and toe joints (MCP and MTP joints) of working Serbian Mountain Horses that showed no signs of lameness.
  • It combined CT imaging and analysis of synovial fluid biomarkers to identify early joint degeneration and its biochemical associations.

Study Objectives

  • To characterize degenerative changes in the MCP and MTP joints of clinically sound working horses using computed tomography (CT).
  • To explore the relationship between these joint changes and synovial fluid (SF) biomarkers, such as protein content, cell counts, oxidative stress indicators, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.

Subjects and Methodology

  • Sample: 32 MCP/MTP joints collected postmortem from eight Serbian Mountain Horses without clinical lameness.
  • Imaging: Utilized high-resolution CT scans to detect degenerative joint changes such as subchondral sclerosis and osteophytosis.
  • Synovial Fluid Analysis: Measured various biomarkers in the joint fluid, including:
    • Viscosity
    • Protein content
    • Total nucleated cell count (TNCC) – indicator of inflammation
    • Oxidative stress biomarkers: total oxidant status, oxidative stress index
    • Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity – enzymes involved in cartilage matrix degradation
    • β-hydroxybutyrate levels – involved in energy metabolism and possibly influencing joint health

Key Findings on Joint Degeneration

  • Subchondral sclerosis: Increased bone density below the joint surface was seen in all examined joints.
  • This sclerosis was more frequent in horses younger than nine years old, suggesting early onset changes.
  • Osteophytosis: Bone spur formation was found in approximately two-thirds of joints.
  • The severity of osteophytosis correlated positively with the horse’s body weight, indicating heavier horses may experience more severe joint changes.
  • Both types of lesions appeared on the medial and lateral condyles of the joints, important weight-bearing regions.

Associations with Synovial Fluid Biomarkers

  • Joints showing subchondral sclerosis and osteophytosis exhibited elevated total nucleated cell count (TNCC), reflecting mild joint inflammation despite the absence of lameness.
  • Osteophytosis presence correlated with higher total oxidant status and oxidative stress index, indicating increased oxidative stress within affected joints.
  • Relatively low levels of β-hydroxybutyrate were identified as an important interactive factor associated with both sclerosis and osteophytosis, hinting at potential metabolic influences on joint health.
  • No significant relationship was found between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and degenerative joint changes, suggesting MMPs may not be active in early-stage joint degeneration in these horses.

Implications and Conclusions

  • Clinically sound working horses can have early degenerative joint changes that may be detectable only through advanced imaging techniques like CT.
  • These joint changes are accompanied by mild increases in markers of inflammation (TNCC) and oxidative stress, which could represent early biochemical signs preceding clinical lameness.
  • The findings emphasize the importance of routine monitoring and potentially developing preventive strategies to manage joint health in working horses before overt clinical signs appear.
  • Future research may explore the role of metabolic factors and oxidative stress in joint degeneration, as well as confirm whether these early changes predict the development of lameness or other clinical joint disorders.

Cite This Article

APA
Marković L, Vićić I, Lazarević Macanović M, Francuski Andrić J, Kovačević Filipović M, Radaković M. (2025). Degenerative Changes in MCP/MTP Joints of Working Horses Without Lameness: Integrating CT-Based Assessment and Synovial Fluid Biomarkers. Animals (Basel), 15(23), 3392. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15233392

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 23
PII: 3392

Researcher Affiliations

Marković, Lazar
  • Department of Equine, Small Animal, Poultry and Wild Animal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Vićić, Ivan
  • Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Lazarević Macanović, Mirjana
  • Department of Radiology and Radiation Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Francuski Andrić, Jelena
  • Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Kovačević Filipović, Milica
  • Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Radaković, Milena
  • Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

Grant Funding

  • Contract number: 451-03-136/2025-03/200143 / Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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