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Equine veterinary journal2023; 56(2); 368-376; doi: 10.1111/evj.14039

Lumbar vertebral bone density is decreased in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Abstract: Pathological fractures have been reported in equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) but their prevalence and pathogenesis is unknown. Objective: To compare: (1) bone mineral density (BMD) in weight bearing and nonweight bearing bones in PPID+ equids and aged and young PPID- controls; and (2) biomechanical properties of the fourth lumbar vertebral body in PPID+ equids and aged PPID- equids. Methods: Case-control study: five PPID+ equids and six aged and four young PPID- control horses. Methods: PPID status was based on clinical signs and necropsy examination of the pituitary gland (PG). The lumbar vertebral column, right front third metacarpus (MC3), left hind third metatarsus (MT3), and PG were removed after euthanasia. BMD was determined by quantitative computed tomography of regions of interest (ROI) in each bone and biomechanical testing was performed on the fourth lumbar vertebral body. Serum concentrations of parathormone (PTH), ionised Ca++ , 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and osteocalcin (OC) were also measured. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and correlation analyses. Results: BMD of trabecular and cortical regions of interest (ROI) of the third, fourth (L4), and fifth lumbar vertebrae were significantly lower in PPID+ equids as compared with aged (p < 0. 001) and young (p < 0.01) PPID- controls. In contrast, no differences were found in BMD of trabecular or cortical ROIs of MC3 and MT3 between groups. No differences were detected in force at fracture, displacement at fracture, Young's modulus or strain of L4 between PPID+ and aged PPID- horses. No differences were found in serum PTH, ionised Ca++ , 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or OC concentrations between groups. Conclusions: Limited number of equids studied and variation in test results. Conclusions: BMD of nonweight bearing bones can be decreased with PPID and could increase risk of developing pathological fractures.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-12-27 PubMed ID: 38151767DOI: 10.1111/evj.14039Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research investigates vertebral bone density in horses affected by pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and how it might affect risks of developing pathological fractures.

Study Purpose and Design

  • This study is a comparative case-control research aimed at comparing bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical properties in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing bones in equids with PPID and aged as well as young PPID control horses. The purpose is to understand the relationship between PPID and potentially elevated risk of fractures.

Participants and Methods

  • The study involved five PPID equids (horses, donkeys, zebras, and other horse-like animals). For controls, six aged and four young horses with PPID were used.
  • The status of PPID was based on clinical signs and post-mortem examination of the pituitary gland.
  • Bone mineral density was determined using quantitative computed tomography (CT Scan) targeting selected regions in each bone.
  • Biomechanical properties of the fourth lumbar vertebral body were investigated, determining the force required to fracture the bone, and measuring its displacement during that process.
  • Researches also measured concentrations of parathormone (PTH), ionised Calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and osteocalcin (OC) in serum; these are widely known markers for bone metabolism.
  • The data obtained was scrutinized using one-way ANOVA (for comparisons of group means) and correlation analyses.

Findings

  • The primary finding was that the bone mineral density in weight-bearing vertebrae was significantly lower in PPID equids compared with the control groups.
  • More specifically, BMD of the trabecular and cortical regions in the third, fourth, and fifth lumbar vertebrae were significantly lower in horses with PPID when compared to the control group.
  • However, no difference was noted in the bone mineral density in non-weight bearing bones (MC3 and MT3) among different groups.
  • Moreover, the study did not find any significant difference in the force at fracture, displacement, Young’s modulus, or strain of the lumbar vertebral body between PPID equids and aged control group.
  • The study also found no differences in the serum concentrations of PTH, ionized Calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or OC between groups, implying that these may not directly relate to the decrease in BMD.

Limitations and Conclusions

  • The limitations involved the small number of equids used in the study and variations in the test results. Despite these limitations, this study provides valuable insights into the implications of PPID on bone health in equids.
  • The primary conclusion drawn is that bone mineral density in non-weight-bearing bones could decrease in horses with PPID, potentially increasing the risk of developing pathological fractures.

Cite This Article

APA
Colbath AC, Fortin JS, Burglass CM, Panek C, Vergara-Hernandez FB, Johnson TN, Robison CA, Logan AA, Nelson NA, Nielsen BD, Schott HC. (2023). Lumbar vertebral bone density is decreased in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Equine Vet J, 56(2), 368-376. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14039

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 2
Pages: 368-376

Researcher Affiliations

Colbath, Aimee C
  • Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Fortin, Jessica S
  • Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Burglass, Caroline M
  • Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Panek, Char
  • Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Vergara-Hernandez, Fernando B
  • Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Johnson, Tyler N
  • Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, College of Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Robison, Cara A
  • Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Logan, Alyssa A
  • Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Nelson, Nathan A
  • Molecular Biologic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Nielsen, Brian D
  • Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Schott, Harold C
  • Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Bone Density
  • Fractures, Spontaneous / pathology
  • Fractures, Spontaneous / veterinary
  • Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / pathology
  • Pituitary Diseases / veterinary
  • Pituitary Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis

Grant Funding

  • RC110276 / ACVIM RESIDENT RESEARCH AWARD
  • RH082218 / Michigan State University Endowed Research Fund

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