Experimentally induced cartilaginous fractures (osteochondritis dissecans) in foals fed low-copper diets.
Abstract: Four Thoroughbred foals were weaned from their dams when they were 1 day old and were fed a liquid milk-replacer diet containing approximately 1.7 micrograms of copper/g from plastic buckets for 4 to 7 months. They were kept in stalls with fiberglass walls and asphalt floors covered with rubber pads. Serum copper and zinc concentrations were determined 3 times/week by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and liver copper and zinc concentrations were determined similarly after acid digestion of tissues taken at necropsy. The amount of soluble collagen in articular cartilage and aortic tissue was determined after necropsy. Clinical signs of illness, particularly evidence of lameness, were monitored daily. The foals were weighed weekly, and growth rate was monitored by measurement of height at the withers. Packed cell volumes and total and differential WBC counts were measured each time blood was drawn for copper and zinc concentration determinations. The foals were examined by necropsy at the end of the experiment, and the tissues were examined histologically. The foals developed intermittent, but nondebilitating, diarrhea with the onset of low serum copper concentrations. Considering the totally liquid diet, the foals grew well. Serum copper concentrations decreased to less than 0.1 micrograms/ml in 13 to 16 weeks. Lameness was evident 2 to 6 weeks after serum copper concentrations decreased to their lowest value (less than 0.1 micrograms/ml). All foals developed stilted gaits and ultimately walked on the front of their hooves. Major hematologic changes and alterations of hair color were not evident. Soluble collagen of articular cartilage and aortic tissue increased from 340 to 600% greater than that of control foals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1988-07-15 PubMed ID: 3403350
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examines the impact of low-copper diets on the bone health of foals, showing that copper deficiencies can lead to fractures in cartilage and negatively affect their overall growth and development.
Research Methodology
- Four Thoroughbred foals were separated from their mothers at one day old and received a liquid milk-replacer diet with a copper concentration of about 1.7 micrograms per gram. This was given from plastic buckets over a span of 4 to 7 months.
- The living environment consisted of stalls with fiberglass walls and asphalt floors covered with rubber pads.
- Blood and tissue samples were periodically taken to measure copper and zinc concentrations in the foals. This was done three times weekly for serum and post-mortem for liver tissue, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
- Tissue samples were also used to determine the level of soluble collagen in joint cartilage and aortic tissue.
- Overall health, specifically signs of illness and lameness, were monitored daily. Other metrics including the foals’ growth rate, weight, and blood cell counts were regularly measured.
- At the conclusion of the experiment, a necropsy was performed on the foals to gather tissue samples for histological examination.
Findings of Study
- Lowered serum copper concentrations caused the foals to have intermittent, mild diarrhea. Despite this and the predominantly liquid diet, foals showed pretty good growth.
- However, copper levels in their bloodstream dropped noticeably (to less than 0.1 micrograms/ml) within 13 to 16 weeks.
- 2 to 6 weeks after the rapid drop in copper levels, signs of lameness became evident in the foals. Eventually, all foals developed unnatural walking patterns and even began to walk on the tips of their hooves.
- Significant changes in blood parameters and hair color weren’t observed.
- Large increases in soluble collagen amount (up to 600% more than control foals) were observed in the joint cartilage and aortic tissue, indicating a possible disturbance in the normal bone development process due to the copper deficient diet.
Cite This Article
APA
Bridges CH, Harris ED.
(1988).
Experimentally induced cartilaginous fractures (osteochondritis dissecans) in foals fed low-copper diets.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 193(2), 215-221.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Texas A&M University 77843-4463.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Copper / metabolism
- Diet
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / metabolism
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
- Osteochondritis Dissecans / metabolism
- Osteochondritis Dissecans / pathology
- Osteochondritis Dissecans / veterinary
- Zinc / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Bourebaba L, Röcken M, Marycz K. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in Horses - Molecular Background of its Pathogenesis and Perspectives for Progenitor Stem Cell Therapy. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2019 Jun;15(3):374-390.
- Okumura M, Asano M, Tagami M, Tsukiyama K, Fujinaga T. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin activity at the early growing stage in foals. Can J Vet Res 1998 Apr;62(2):122-6.
- Sokoloff L. Acquired chondronecrosis. Ann Rheum Dis 1990 Apr;49(4):262-4.
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