Experimental investigation of bone mineral density in Thoroughbreds using quantitative computed tomography.
Abstract: Bone mineral density (BMD) is one of the indications of the strength and health. BMD measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was compared with that measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and radiographic bone aluminum equivalence (RBAE). Limbs were removed from horses that had been euthanized for reasons not associated with this study. Sixteen limbs (left and right metacarpals and metatarsals) from 4 horses were used to compare BMD as measured by QCT with those measured by DXA and RBAE. There was a strong correlation between BMD values measured by QCT and those measured by DXA (R(2)=0.85); correlation was also observed between values obtained by QCT and those obtained by RBAE (R(2)=0.61). To investigate changes in BMD with age, 37 right metacarpal bones, including 7 from horses euthanized because of fracture were examined by QCT. The BMD value of samples from horses dramatically increased until 2 years of age and then plateaued, a pattern similar to the growth curve. The BMD values of bone samples from horses euthanized because of fracture were within the population range, and samples of morbid fracture were not included. The relationship between BMD and age provides a reference for further quantitative studies of bone development and remodeling. Quantitative measurement of BMD using QCT may have great potential for the evaluation of bone biology for breeding and rearing management.
Publication Date: 2015-09-30 PubMed ID: 26435681PubMed Central: PMC4591414DOI: 10.1294/jes.26.81Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The researchers in this study used quantitative computed tomography (QCT) to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in horses and compared it with measurements from two other methods. They found a strong correlation with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and a significant correlation with radiographic bone aluminum equivalence (RBAE). The study also suggested that BMD in horses greatly increases until they are 2 years old and then remains stable.
Measurement Techniques
- The study tested the bone mineral density (BMD) of horse limbs using three different methods: quantitative computed tomography (QCT), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and radiographic bone aluminum equivalence (RBAE).
- The limbs used in the study were from horses euthanized for reasons not connected to this research. Sixteen limbs, including left and right metacarpals and metatarsals from 4 horses, were used.
- An objective of the study was to compare BMD as detected by QCT with measurements taken via DXA and RBAE.
Findings and Correlations
- The study found a strong correlation between BMD measurements taken by QCT and by DXA, with a correlation coefficient (R(2)) of 0.85, which indicates a very strong relationship.
- The correlation between BMD values as calculated by QCT and those achieved through RBAE was also significant, with a correlation coefficient of 0.61.
Age-Related Density Changes
- The study also used QCT to examine BMD changes in 37 right metacarpal bones in horses, including 7 from horses euthanized due to fractures.
- Results suggested that the BMD value in horse samples increased dramatically until the age of 2 years and then remained stable, mirroring typical growth curves seen in these animals.
- The BMD values of bone samples from horses euthanized because of fractures were found to be within the range for the overall population, confirming that samples of morbid fractures were not included.
- The findings provide a reference for future research into bone development and remodeling.
Practical Implications
- The study concludes with the suggestion that QCT holds great potential for quantitatively assessing BMD, which can be useful for evaluating bone health in animal breeding and rearing management.
Cite This Article
APA
Yamada K, Sato F, Higuchi T, Nishihara K, Kayano M, Sasaki N, Nambo Y.
(2015).
Experimental investigation of bone mineral density in Thoroughbreds using quantitative computed tomography.
J Equine Sci, 26(3), 81-87.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.26.81 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
- NOSAI Hidaka, Hokkaido 059-3105, Japan.
- Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Yamada K. Sex differences in cervical spinal cord and spinal canal development in Thoroughbred horses.. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Sep 21;84(10):1363-1367.
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