Morphological analysis of cervical vertebrae in ataxic foals.
Abstract: Morphological differences between cervical vertebrae were statistically analyzed in ataxic foals to clarify abnormal structural factors in the pathogenesis of this problem. At first, multiple regression analysis and cluster analysis were performed with 28 variables in C3-C7 of 39 control foals without lameness. As a result, there were no sex differences in the growth of all cervical vertebral sites, and the most suitable categorization of the age of the foals was 3 clusters of 8 months old or younger, 9-12 months old and 13 months old or older in any sites in the cervical vertebrae. Twenty-eight ataxic and 19 control foals at the age of 13 months or older were then used for discriminant analysis with 20 variables. As a result, 1-7 variables on C3-C7 were selected for sufficient discrimination, in which the heights of the cranial and caudal orifices of the spinal canal, longitudinal length of the vertebral head and height of the vertebral fossa strongly contributed to the discrimination of all the cervical vertebrae. In addition, the widths and longitudinal diameters of the articular processes on articular surfaces strongly contributed to the discrimination of the caudal region of the neck. In conclusion, it was suggested that the lesion in the cervical spinal cord observed in ataxic foals was caused by morphological abnormalities including osteochondrosis and subsequent degenerative joint disease in the cervical vertebrae.
Publication Date: 1994-12-01 PubMed ID: 7696396DOI: 10.1292/jvms.56.1081Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study involves a detailed analysis of the structural differences in the cervical vertebrae of foals (young horses) which are ataxic, meaning they have problems with muscle control and balance, versus healthy control foals. The paper explores whether certain morphological abnormalities found in the cervical vertebrae can cause the condition.
Research methodology
- Details of 39 healthy control foals and 28 ataxic foals were collected.
- Scientists examined the cervical vertebrae (C3-C7) of the foals and measured up to 28 different variables. These included the heights of the cranial and caudal orifices of the spinal canal, the longitudinal length of the vertebral head, and the height of the vertebral fossa.
- Data was statistically analyzed using multiple regression analysis and cluster analysis.
Key Findings
- Scientists did not find any sex differences in the growth of the cervical vertebral sites. This confirms that male and female foals exhibited similar overall growth patterns of cervical vertebrae.
- Based on age, the foals were most appropriately divided into three clusters: 8 months old or younger, 9-12 months old, and 13 months old or older. This served to underline that age-related differences are critical in studying cervical vertebrae development.
- When comparing control and ataxic foals aged 13 months or older, discriminant analysis was conducted with 20 variables. From the analysis, between 1 to 7 variables on cervical vertebrae C3-C7 were identified as key discriminators between the condition of the control and ataxic foals.
- Heights of cranial and caudal orifices of the spinal canal, longitudinal length of vertebral head and height of vertebral fossa were key contributors to detect differences among all cervical vertebrae.
- Widths and longitudinal diameters of the articular processes found on the joint surfaces were significant discriminators in the lower neck of the foals.
Conclusion
- Through the research, it was suggested that the ataxia in foals might be caused by morphological abnormalities in the cervical vertebrae resulting from osteochondrosis, a joint development disorder, and subsequent degenerative joint disease.
- The results suggest that the diagnosis and understanding of ataxia in foals can be improved with the identification of these abnormal morphological factors. Further investigation is necessary in order to develop more effective treatments for ataxic foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Tomizawa N, Nishimura R, Sasaki N, Hayashi Y, Senba H, Hara S, Kadosawa T, Takeuchi A.
(1994).
Morphological analysis of cervical vertebrae in ataxic foals.
J Vet Med Sci, 56(6), 1081-1085.
https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.56.1081 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ataxia / etiology
- Ataxia / veterinary
- Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
- Discriminant Analysis
- Female
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Multivariate Analysis
- Osteochondritis / complications
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
- Regression Analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Kondo T, Sato F, Tsuzuki N, Yamada K. Sex differences in cervical spinal cord and spinal canal development in Thoroughbred horses. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Sep 21;84(10):1363-1367.
- Haussler KK, Pool RR, Clayton HM. Characterization of bony changes localized to the cervical articular processes in a mixed population of horses. PLoS One 2019;14(9):e0222989.
- Muirhead T, McClure JT, Bourque A, Pack L. Osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles and atlanto-occipital dysplasia in a Belgian horse. Can Vet J 2003 Dec;44(12):984-6.
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