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Journal of anatomy1992; 181 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3); 455-469;

Histological features of the dorsal cortex of the third metacarpal bone mid-diaphysis during postnatal growth in thoroughbred horses.

Abstract: The dorsal cortex of the equine third metacarpal mid-diaphyseal bone was characterised during growth by the histological and microradiographic examination of specimens from 30 horses ranging in age from 2 months to 8 y. Bone from horses aged less than 6 months was characterised by rapid periosteal apposition of circumferential trabeculae of woven bone that were next connected by radial trabeculae to the parent cortex. Deposition of lamellar bone on the inner trabecular surfaces resulted in rows of primary osteons. Replacement of primary bone occurred only after 4 months of age and preferentially in the woven interstitial bone separating rows of primary osteons formed in the postnatal periosteal cortex. Resorption cavities and incompletely filled secondary osteons characterised bone of 1 and 2-y-old horses. Bone from horses older than 3 y contained several generations of secondary osteons, fewer resorption spaces and incompletely filled osteons, and had a greater portion of circumferentially oriented collagen fibres than bone from younger horses. Bone from horses older than 5 y had large resorption cavities characterised by irregular boundaries. We propose that the process of periosteal bone tissue apposition observed in growing foals be called 'saltatory primary osteonal bone formation' and that this process results in faster cortical expansion and larger total surface area for bone deposition than circumferential lamellar, simple primary osteonal, and plexiform mechanisms of periosteal bone formation. We speculate that bone from 1 and 2-y-old horses would be more susceptible to fatigue microdamage resulting from compressive loads because of high porosity, few completed secondary osteons and low proportion of circumferentially oriented collagen fibres.
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Publication Date: 1992-12-01 PubMed ID: 1304584PubMed Central: PMC1259699
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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.

The study investigates the histological changes in the dorsal cortex of the third metacarpal bone in thoroughbred horses during growth stages from 2 months to 8 years. The results indicate variations in bone development suggesting different levels of susceptibility to micro-damage due to factors such as porosity and collagen fiber orientation.

Research Method

  • The researchers conducted a histological and microradiographic examination of specimens sourced from 30 horses aging between 2 months and 8 years.
  • The focus was on the dorsal cortex of the third metacarpal mid-diaphyseal bone.

Findings

  • For horses less than 6 months old, there was rapid periosteal apposition of circumferential trabeculae of woven bone immediately connected by radial trabeculae to the parent cortex. This resulted in rows of primary osteons due to the deposition of lamellar bone on inner trabecular surfaces.
  • Primary bone replacement started only after the horse was 4 months old, mainly in the woven interstitial bone separating rows of primary osteons formed in the postnatal periosteal cortex.
  • In 1 and 2-year-old horses, the bone exhibit resorption cavities and incompletely filled secondary osteons.
  • Bone from horses older than 3 years contained multiple generations of secondary osteons, a lower number of resorption spaces and incompletely filled osteons compared to younger horses. Additionally, the collagen fibres were more circumferentially oriented.
  • In horses older than 5 years, large resorption cavities with irregular boundaries were observed.

Propositions and Speculations

  • The researchers proposed a new term for the observed process of periosteal bone tissue apposition in growing foals: ‘saltatory primary osteonal bone formation.’ They suggest this process results in rapid cortical expansion and provides a larger total surface area for bone deposition compared to other mechanisms of periosteal bone formation.
  • The study speculates that bones in 1 and 2-year-old horses would be more susceptible to fatigue microdamage as a result of compressive loads. This is attributed to greater porosity, a lower number of completed secondary osteons, and a lower proportion of circumferentially oriented collagen fibres.

Cite This Article

APA
Stover SM, Pool RR, Martin RB, Morgan JP. (1992). Histological features of the dorsal cortex of the third metacarpal bone mid-diaphysis during postnatal growth in thoroughbred horses. J Anat, 181 ( Pt 3)(Pt 3), 455-469.

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 0021-8782
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 181 ( Pt 3)
Issue: Pt 3
Pages: 455-469

Researcher Affiliations

Stover, S M
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
Pool, R R
    Martin, R B
      Morgan, J P

        MeSH Terms

        • Aging / physiology
        • Animals
        • Bone Remodeling
        • Bone Resorption / pathology
        • Collagen
        • Female
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Male
        • Metacarpus / anatomy & histology
        • Metacarpus / growth & development
        • Microradiography

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