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Equine veterinary journal2016; 49(3); 282-287; doi: 10.1111/evj.12613

Heritability and prevalence of selected osteochondrosis lesions in yearling Thoroughbred horses.

Abstract: Osteochondrosis is considered multifactorial in origin, with factors such as nutrition, conformation, body size, trauma and genetics thought to contribute to its pathogenesis. Few studies have investigated the effects of genetic variability of osteochondrosis in Thoroughbreds. Objective: To describe the prevalence and genetic variability of a subset of osteochondrosis lesions in a group of Thoroughbred yearlings. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Radiographs of 1962 Thoroughbred yearlings were retrieved from clinical records obtained between 2005 and 2013. Pedigree information was obtained from the Australian Stud Book. Osteochondrosis lesions were documented in selected joints and estimates of heritability were obtained by fitting linear mixed models in ASREML software. Results: The overall prevalence of osteochondrosis was 23%. Osteochondrosis was identified in 10% of stifle joints, 6% of hock joints and 8% of fetlock joints. The heritability estimates ranged from 0 to 0.21. The largest estimates were 0.10, 0.14, 0.16 and 0.21 for lesions of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia, dorso-proximal proximal phalanx (P1), any stifle osteochondrosis, and lesions of the lateral trochlear ridge of the distal femur, respectively. Although calculated heritability estimates had high standard errors, meta-analyses combining the present results with published estimates were significant at 0.10, 0.17, 0.15 and 0.20 for stifle, tarsal, fetlock and these joints combined, respectively. In addition, there was a permanent environment attributable to the dam effect. Conclusions: Inclusion criteria were based on radiographic findings in specific joints at a specific age range in Thoroughbreds. Conclusions: The present results indicate that only a proportion of osteochondrosis in Thoroughbreds is heritable. The permanent environment effects of the dam were observed to have effects on some categories of osteochondrosis.
© 2016 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2016-09-04 PubMed ID: 27448988PubMed Central: PMC5412687DOI: 10.1111/evj.12613Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Meta-Analysis

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.

The study explores the occurrence and role of genetic variability in the development of osteochondrosis, a condition affecting the joints, in Thoroughbred yearling horses. Through analysis of radiographs and pedigree information, it was found that osteochondrosis had differing levels of heritability depending on the specific joint affected, and certain environmental conditions linked to the mother horse also had an influence.

Study Objective and Methods

  • The main aim of this research was to observe the prevalence of osteochondrosis in Thoroughbred yearlings, and determine how much of this was attributable to genetic traits.
  • The study was retrospective in nature, analysing previous data to detect patterns and make conclusions.
  • Almost 2000 radiographs of yearling Thoroughbreds, dating from 2005-2013, were analysed for signs of osteochondrosis. This method allowed for physical evidence of the condition to be documented.
  • Pedigree information was also gathered, in order to trace potential genetic links to the condition.
  • Linear mixed models were used to estimate the heritability of the condition, specifically the aspect of osteochondrosis that was attributable to genetic variation.

Key Findings

  • The overall occurrence of osteochondrosis among the Thoroughbreds was found to be 23%.
  • Different joints were found to be more or less likely to show signs of osteochondrosis. Lesions were found in 10% of stifle joints, 6% of hock joints, and 8% of fetlock joints.
  • The heritability of osteochondrosis, or the extent to which genetics are a factor, varied from zero to 0.21, based on the specific type of joint lesion assessed.
  • There were some particular conditions where heritability was somewhat higher, reaching 0.10, 0.14, 0.16, and 0.21 for osteochondrosis in specific areas of the tibia, proximal phalanx, stifle and distal femur respectively.
  • Though the standard variation in the heritability estimates was high, meta-analyses combining these results with previously published estimates found significant heritability at 0.10, 0.17, 0.15, and 0.20 for stifle, tarsal, fetlock, and all these joint types combined.
  • There was also an observed connection between the so-called “dam effect”, or permanent environmental influences attributable to the dam (mother) of the horse, and the development of osteochondrosis.

Discussion

  • The authors suggest that a part of the prevalence of osteochondrosis in Thoroughbreds is heritable, but it is not the only factor contributing to its occurrence.
  • The research suggests further exploration of the factors that interact with the horses’ genetic makeup, including the environmental factors linked to the dam, in contributing to the development of osteochondrosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Russell J, Matika O, Russell T, Reardon RJ. (2016). Heritability and prevalence of selected osteochondrosis lesions in yearling Thoroughbred horses. Equine Vet J, 49(3), 282-287. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12613

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 3
Pages: 282-287

Researcher Affiliations

Russell, J
  • Victorian Equine Group, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
Matika, O
  • Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK.
Russell, T
  • Victorian Equine Group, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
Reardon, R J M
  • Department of Surgery, Hospital for Large Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / genetics
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Osteochondrosis / epidemiology
  • Osteochondrosis / genetics
  • Osteochondrosis / veterinary
  • Prevalence

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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