Influence of age and sex in serum osteocalcin levels in thoroughbred horses.
Abstract: In this study, we assessed the potential value of free serum osteocalcin or bone gla protein (BGP), the most abundant non collagenous matrix protein found in bone and dentin, to reflect changes of bone turnover in thoroughbred horses. Levels of osteocalcin were analyzed in serum samples of 54 clinically normal animals divided into three groups (A, B, C) according to age: 8, 16-18 and 24-36 months, in order to determine the standard for young horses of different age and sex. Serum BGP was measured by an in-house developed double antibody radioimmunoassay using bovine antigen. The mean BGP levels (ng/ml) were 45.65 +/- 11.69; 33.65 +/- 16.65; 15.08 +/- 6.70 respectively for groups A, B and C; statistically significant differences were found between groups (A vs B and C; Bvs C). Difference between males and females was found significant in group C with higher values in the females: 18.75 +/- 5.00 against 14.43 +/- 10.47 i n the males. This can be considered a sex related effect on BGP serum levels after the onset of puberty. Correlation coefficient between age and serum BGP for females and males were r 5 20.598 ( P < 0.001) and r 5 200.807 (P < 0.001) respectively. A significant negative linear relationship could be established between these two parameters in males during the growth period. The regression equation between serum BGP and age for males was (month of age = 65.14-1.68. BGP). In the female group the gestation and lactation are variables that lower the correlation coefficient between age and serum BGP levels. These results suggest that serum BGP decreases in thoroughbred horses during the growth period, and significant differences between sexes were found only after the onset of puberty.
Publication Date: 1999-08-24 PubMed ID: 10455559DOI: 10.1076/apab.107.1.50.4357Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates how age and sex influence levels of a specific protein, osteocalcin, in the blood of thoroughbred horses. The findings suggest that osteocalcin levels decrease during the growth period, and visible differences appear between male and female horses following puberty.
Understanding Osteocalcin
- Osteocalcin, also known as bone gla protein (BGP), is a protein abundant in bone and dentin, and it is often used as a marker to observe changes in bone metabolism.
- For this study, the researchers focused on observing how levels of this protein change in the blood of growing thoroughbred horses.
Methodology
- The researchers gathered serum samples from 54 clinically normal thoroughbred horses.
- These horses were split into three groups (labelled A, B, and C) according to their age.
- Horses in group A were 8 months old, those in group B were between 16-18 months old, and those in group C were aged between 24-36 months.
- This segmented approach allowed the team to build a standard of typical osteocalcin levels for young horses based on their age and sex.
Results
- The average BGP levels varied significantly across the groups. These average levels decreased as the horses’ ages increased.
- A significant difference was also found between males and females in group C, with female horses showing higher average BGP levels.
- For both sexes, there was a negative correlation between age and BGP levels, suggesting a decrease in BGP as horses aged.
- However, the correlation was weaker in females and it was hypothesized that female-specific factors like gestation and lactation might be influencing BGP levels.
Conclusion
- Overall, the study concluded BGP serum levels in thoroughbred horses decrease during the growth period. Moreover, visible differences between the sexes were observed after horses hit puberty.
- These conclusions point to the potential use of osteocalcin as a biomarker for bone status, age, and potential sex-related differences in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Chiappe A, Gonzalez G, Fradinger E, Iorio G, Ferretti JL, Zanchetta J.
(1999).
Influence of age and sex in serum osteocalcin levels in thoroughbred horses.
Arch Physiol Biochem, 107(1), 50-54.
https://doi.org/10.1076/apab.107.1.50.4357 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / blood
- Animals
- Biomarkers
- Bone Remodeling / physiology
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Male
- Osteocalcin / blood
- Sex Characteristics
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Jia Y, Tang L, Yao Y, Zhuo L, Qu D, Chen X, Ji Y, Tao J, Zhu Y. Low-intensity exercise combined with sodium valproate attenuates kainic acid-induced seizures and associated co-morbidities by inhibiting NF-κB signaling in mice. Front Neurol 2022;13:993405.
- Obri A, Khrimian L, Karsenty G, Oury F. Osteocalcin in the brain: from embryonic development to age-related decline in cognition. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2018 Mar;14(3):174-182.
- Khrimian L, Obri A, Ramos-Brossier M, Rousseaud A, Moriceau S, Nicot AS, Mera P, Kosmidis S, Karnavas T, Saudou F, Gao XB, Oury F, Kandel E, Karsenty G. Gpr158 mediates osteocalcin's regulation of cognition. J Exp Med 2017 Oct 2;214(10):2859-2873.
- Harbowy RM, Nielsen BD, Colbath AC, Robison CI, Buskirk DD, Logan AA. Effects of Exercise Speed and Circle Diameter on Markers of Bone and Joint Health in Juvenile Sheep as an Equine Model. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 2;15(3).
- Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, Courtman N, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):333-346.
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