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BMC veterinary research2008; 4; 3; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-4-3

Effect of age on bone mineral density and micro architecture in the radius and tibia of horses: an Xtreme computed tomographic study.

Abstract: The effect of age on the bone mineral density and microarchitecture of the equine radius and tibia was investigated. Fifty-six bones from 15 horses aged four to 21 years were used. There were nine geldings and six mares, and none of the horses had any disease influencing bone properties. Xtreme computed tomography was used to evaluate a 9-mm segment of the diaphysis and metaphysis of each bone. The following variables were determined: length of the bone, circumference and diameter in the frontal and sagittal planes in the middle of the bone.Diaphysis: total volume, bone volume, bone volume ratio, slice area, bone area, marrow area, cortical and marrow thickness, bone mineral density, polar moment of inertia of the cortex.Metaphysis: total area, bone area, cortical bone area, cortical thickness, bone mineral density, bone mineral density in the cortex, bone mineral density in the trabecular region, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, polar moment of inertia of the metaphysis, polar moment of inertia of the cortex of the metaphysis. Results: Bone density and microarchitecture were not affected by breed or gender. However, the microarchitecture varied with the age of the horse; the number of trabeculae decreased significantly and the distance between trabeculae increased significantly with increasing age. There were no significant differences between bones of the left and right limbs or between the radius and tibia. Conclusions: The variables investigated did not differ between geldings and mares. However, there were age-related changes in the microstructure of the bones. Further experimental studies are necessary to determine whether these changes reduce bone strength. Age-related changes in the bones were seen and may explain the higher incidence of fractures and fissures in older horses.
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Publication Date: 2008-01-25 PubMed ID: 18221526PubMed Central: PMC2267174DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-4-3Google 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 study examines the impact of age on the bone density and microstructure of equine radius and tibia bones. It found that while breed and gender did not significantly affect these aspects, age did – as the horses grew older, the number of trabeculae (small, rod-like structures in the bone) decreased and the gaps between them increased.

Research Background and Methodology

  • The study delved into understanding how age affects the bone mineral density and microstructure in the radius and tibia bones of horses.
  • Fifty-six bones from 15 horses, aged between four to 21 years, were utilised for the study. This selection included nine geldings and six mares. The horses selected were free of any disease that could potentially affect their bone properties.
  • An imaging technology called Xtreme computed tomography was employed to evaluate a 9-mm segment of both the diaphysis (the main or midsection of a long bone) and metaphysis (the narrow portion of long bone between the epiphysis and the diaphysis) of each bone.
  • The researchers investigated various variables such as the length, circumference, and diameter of the bones in different planes. Specific variables for the diaphysis and metaphysis of the bones were also investigated.

Results and Interpretation

  • The study found no significant difference in bone density and microarchitecture based on the breed or gender of the horses.
  • However, significant changes were observed with age, where the number of trabeculae decreased noticeably whilst the distance between the trabeculae increased dramatically as the horses aged.
  • No significant differences were observed between the bones from the left and right limbs or between the radius and tibia bones.

Conclusions and Further Studies

  • No differences were found in the variables investigated between male (geldings) and female (mares) horses. However, the study did confirm that age-related changes occur in the microstructure of the bones.
  • The authors suggested that further experimental studies are needed to understand if these age-related changes in microstructure could decrease the strength of the horses’ bones.
  • The study concluded by indicating that the observed age-related changes in the bones might explain the higher incidence of fractures and fissures in older horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Fürst A, Meier D, Michel S, Schmidlin A, Held L, Laib A. (2008). Effect of age on bone mineral density and micro architecture in the radius and tibia of horses: an Xtreme computed tomographic study. BMC Vet Res, 4, 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-4-3

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 4
Pages: 3

Researcher Affiliations

Fürst, A
  • Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Afuerst@vetclinics.uzh.ch
Meier, D
    Michel, S
      Schmidlin, A
        Held, L
          Laib, A

            MeSH Terms

            • Age Factors
            • Animals
            • Bone Density / physiology
            • Female
            • Horses / anatomy & histology
            • Horses / physiology
            • Male
            • Radius / diagnostic imaging
            • Radius / physiology
            • Regression Analysis
            • Tibia / diagnostic imaging
            • Tibia / physiology
            • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
            • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 5 times.
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