Impact of feeding and housing on the development of osteochondrosis in foals-A longitudinal study.
Abstract: Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a developmental orthopedic disease caused by a failure of the endochondral ossification in epiphyseal plates and joint cartilage. This trouble may induce the presence of osteochondral fragments in the articulation, fissures or subchondral bone cysts in the growth cartilage. Occurrence of osteochondrosis is influenced by a complex interaction of different factors. Among these, the effect of the housing and the feeding of the foals during their first months of life, have been described as risk factors for the development of osteochondrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of OCD lesions with a longitudinal study in 204 young foals from 6 to 18 months in comparison to the type of feeding and the type of housing conditions. These factors and OCD status were obtained by a questionnaire and radiological examination, respectively. This allowed dividing the foals into four groups according to the initial OCD status and the evolution of the condition. As a result, we found that foals fed with concentrates show a higher probability to develop OCD lesions (p=0.06), while foals not receiving concentrates, had a higher probability to heal from existing OCD lesions (p=0.001). This study supports the theory that management factors such as feeding or housing may influence the evolution of the osteochondrosis disease.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016-03-10 PubMed ID: 27094134DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.03.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article is an investigation into the impact of feeding and housing conditions on the progression of a developmental orthopedic disease, osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), in foals from 6 to 18 months of age.
Objective of the research
- The main aim of this study is to explore how housing and feeding conditions during a foal’s early life might influence the development of osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), a developmental orthopedic disease in foals. The researchers also seek to understand how these conditions can influence the progression or healing of existing OCD lesions.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted a longitudinal study involving 204 young foals aged between 6 to 18 months.
- Data was collected through a questionnaire to identify the housing and feeding conditions of the foals.
- Radiological examinations were also conducted to ascertain the horse’s OCD status.
- Based on the initial OCD status and its evolution, the foals were divided into four groups.
Findings
- The findings showed that foals fed with concentrates had a higher chance of developing OCD lesions.
- Conversely, foals that did not receive concentrates had a higher probability of healing from existing OCD lesions.
- While not definitive, these findings suggest the possibility of a connection between the management factors like housing and feeding, and the evolution of osteochondrosis disease in foals.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, the study lends support to the theory that management factors such as feeding and housing may influence the occurrence and course of osteochondrosis disease in young horses.
- However, the results are indicative and more research is needed to definitively establish the relationship between these factors and the progression of the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Mendoza L, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Detilleux J, Sandersen C, Deliège B, Serteyn D.
(2016).
Impact of feeding and housing on the development of osteochondrosis in foals-A longitudinal study.
Prev Vet Med, 127, 10-14.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.03.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium; Equine Research and Development Center, Mont-le-Soie, Belgium. Electronic address: luismendoza1001@hotmail.com.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium; Equine Research and Development Center, Mont-le-Soie, Belgium.
- Equine Research and Development Center, Mont-le-Soie, Belgium.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium.
- Equine Research and Development Center, Mont-le-Soie, Belgium.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium; Equine Research and Development Center, Mont-le-Soie, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Housing, Animal
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Osteochondrosis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteochondrosis / etiology
- Osteochondrosis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Schmökel H, Farrell A, Balisi MF. Subchondral defects resembling osteochondrosis dissecans in joint surfaces of the extinct saber-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis and dire wolf Aenocyon dirus. PLoS One 2023;18(7):e0287656.
- 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.
- Stallones L, McManus P, McGreevy P. Sustainability and the Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing Industries: An Enhanced One Welfare Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 31;13(3).
- Hoey S, O'Sullivan J, Byrne J, Devine S, Toomey W, McAllister H, Skelly C. Ultrasound screening protocol for osteochondrosis at selected predilection sites in thoroughbred yearlings. Ir Vet J 2022 Apr 27;75(1):8.
- Robles M, Nouveau E, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lagofun B, Aubrière MC, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Viguié C, Wimel L, Bouraima-Lelong H, Serteyn D, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P. Maternal obesity increases insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and osteochondrosis lesions in foals and yearlings until 18 months of age. PLoS One 2018;13(1):e0190309.
- Martinez-Saez L, Marín-García PJ, Llobat ML. Osteochondrosis in horses: An overview of genetic and other factors. Equine Vet J 2026 Jan;58(1):6-19.
- Van Cauter R, Caudron I, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Serteyn D. Distal sagittal forelimb conformation in young Walloon horses: Radiographic assessment and its relationship with osteochondral fragments. PLoS One 2024;19(10):e0311965.
- Van Cauter R, Caudron I, Lejeune JP, Rousset A, Serteyn D. Nineteen years of radiographic screening: Impact of sepsis and evolution of osteochondrosis dissecans prevalence in Walloon sport horses born between 2004 and 2022. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0308304.
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