Epiphyseal cartilage canal blood supply to the metatarsophalangeal joint of foals.
Abstract: It is presently unknown whether cartilage ischaemia plays any part in the pathogenesis of osteochondral fragmentation within the equine metatarsophalangeal joint, as no detailed studies on microcirculation in the area have been reported. Objective: To describe the developmental pattern of the blood supply to the epiphyseal growth cartilage in the metatarsophalangeal joint of foals. Methods: Eight Standardbred foals were sacrificed between birth and age 7 weeks to undergo a barium perfusion procedure to demonstrate vessels within growth cartilage canals of one hindlimb. The metatarso-phalangeal joint was cleared in methyl salicylate and perfused vessels studied in the intact bones. The bones were sawed into 5 mm thick slabs, decalcified and radiographed. Selected slabs were cleared in methyl salicylate for a second time and examined at low magnification. The dorsal half of the sagittal ridge of the distal third metatarsal bone and the plantar half of the proximal phalanx were examined histologically. Results: Regions of the epiphysis with thick cartilage contained a greater number of perfused vessels than regions with thin cartilage. The cartilage canal vessels were oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the underlying ossification front. Cartilage canal vessels were incorporated into the ossification front during growth and became reliant on a subchondral arterial source. Macroscopically visible lesions were not detected in the current group of foals. On histological examination, pathological changes consisting of an area of chondronecrosis surrounded by fibrovascular granulation tissue were found in sections from the lateral proximo-plantar eminence of the proximal phalanx in the 7-week-old foal. Conclusions: The same anatomical feature (traversing the ossification front to enter cartilage canals) reported to render vessels vulnerable to failure in the tarsus was also present in the metatarso-phalangeal joint of foals. Conclusions: Osteochondrosis may occur by the same pathogenetic mechanism in the metatarso-phalangeal joint as in the tarsus of foals.
Publication Date: 2010-04-14 PubMed ID: 20383983DOI: 10.2746/042516409x437762Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the patterns of blood supply and its role in the development of the metatarsophalangeal joint in young horses. It particularly monitors the number and direction of vessels in the epiphyseal growth cartilage.
Methods
- Eight Standardbred foals were used in the study, ranging from newborns to 7-weeks-old.
- They underwent a barium perfusion procedure to map out the blood vessels within growth cartilage canals of a hindlimb.
- The joints were cleared using methyl salicylate and observed in their intact form.
- The bones were then cut into 5 mm thick sections, decalcified, and radiographed.
- Selected sections were cleared again using methyl salicylate and examined under low magnification.
- Finally, sections from specific areas of the bones (the sagittal ridge of the distal third metatarsal bone and the plantar half of the proximal phalanx) were examined histologically.
Findings
- Areas with thicker cartilage had a higher number of perfused vessels compared to thinner counterparts.
- The blood vessels within the cartilage canals were oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the ossification front – the area where bone formation occurs.
- As growth continues, these vessels are integrated into the ossification front and switch to relying on a source of blood from arteries beneath the cartilage.
- No significant lesions were observed in the foals macroscopically.
- However, microscopic examination revealed pathological changes in one of the foals – a 7-week-old specimen displayed an area of cell death in the cartilage surrounded by tissue growth.
Conclusions
- The study identified a particular anatomical feature that introduces vulnerability in blood vessels, with implications for disease onset. This feature – the route of vessels through the ossification front to enter cartilage canals – is also reported in the tarsus, another part of the hock often affected by bone and cartilage disease.
- Due to their shared anatomical feature, the researchers suggest osteochondrosis (a group of disorders affecting bone growth) in the metatarsophalangeal joint may occur through the same pathogenetic mechanism as observed in the tarsus.
This research improves understanding of how blood supply to growing cartilage can impact joint health in young horses, opening avenues for further studies in preventative measures and treatments for related disorders.
Cite This Article
APA
Olstad K, Ytrehus B, Ekman S, Carlson CS, Dolvik NI.
(2010).
Epiphyseal cartilage canal blood supply to the metatarsophalangeal joint of foals.
Equine Vet J, 41(9), 865-871.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x437762 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Section for Equine Medicine and Surgery, Post Box 8146 Dep., N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Growth Plate / blood supply
- Hindlimb / blood supply
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Joints / blood supply
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Van Cauter R, Serteyn D, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Caudron I. Evaluation of the appearance of osteochondrosis lesions by two radiographic examinations in sport horses aged from 12 to 36 months. PLoS One 2023;18(5):e0286213.
- Olstad K, Aasmundstad T, Kongsro J, Grindflek E. Osteochondrosis and other lesions in all intervertebral, articular process and rib joints from occiput to sacrum in pigs with poor back conformation, and relationship to juvenile kyphosis. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jan 18;18(1):44.
- Olstad K, Wormstrand B, Kongsro J, Grindflek E. Computed tomographic development of physeal osteochondrosis in pigs. BMC Vet Res 2019 Dec 17;15(1):454.
- Tóth F, Johnson CP, Mills B, Nissi MJ, Nykänen O, Ellermann J, Ludwig KD, Tompkins M, Carlson CS. Evaluation of the Suitability of Miniature Pigs as an Animal Model of Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans. J Orthop Res 2019 Oct;37(10):2130-2137.
- Hendrickson EHS, Lykkjen S, Dolvik NI, Olstad K. Prevalence of osteochondral lesions in the fetlock and hock joints of Standardbred horses that survived bacterial infection before 6 months of age. BMC Vet Res 2018 Dec 10;14(1):390.
- Finnøy A, Olstad K, Lilledahl MB. Non-linear optical microscopy of cartilage canals in the distal femur of young pigs may reveal the cause of articular osteochondrosis. BMC Vet Res 2017 Aug 22;13(1):270.
- Hellings IR, Ekman S, Hultenby K, Dolvik NI, Olstad K. Discontinuities in the endothelium of epiphyseal cartilage canals and relevance to joint disease in foals. J Anat 2016 Jan;228(1):162-75.
- Olstad K, Kongsro J, Grindflek E, Dolvik NI. Consequences of the natural course of articular osteochondrosis in pigs for the suitability of computed tomography as a screening tool. BMC Vet Res 2014 Sep 9;10:212.
- Olstad K. Science-in-brief: Recent advances in failure of the blood supply to growth cartilage, osteochondrosis and developmental orthopaedic disease. Equine Vet J 2025 Sep;57(5):1161-1166.
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