Osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in Standardbred trotters: prevalence and relationships.
Abstract: Developmental orthopaedic diseases (DOD) such as osteochondrosis (OC)/osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments (POF), ununited palmar/plantar eminences (UPE) and dorsoproximal first phalanx fragments are well recognised in the horse. Aetiopathogeneses are controversial and molecular genetic screening of DNA has recently been employed for their elucidation. Precise phenotypic definition and knowledge of breed-specific prevalence and interrelations are essential for the interpretation of following genomic studies in Standardbred trotters. Objective: To assess the prevalence, trend of development and interrelation of DOD in tarsocrural, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in Standardbred trotters. Methods: The tarsocrural and MCP/MTP joints of 464 Norwegian Standardbred yearlings were radiographed and the prevalence and interrelation of osteochondral lesions calculated. Results: Osteochondral lesions were diagnosed in 50.7% of the horses. The prevalence of tarsocrural OC/OCD at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia (DIT) and the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus (LTT) was 19.3%. The prevalence of OC/OCD in MCP joints was 3.6%, whereas those of POF and UPE in MCP/MTP joints were 23.1 and 3.9%, respectively. Interrelation was evident for 1) most equivalent lesions in joint homologues, 2) OCD DIT and OCD LTT and 3) POF and UPE. Lesions in hock and fetlock joints were generally not significantly associated. Conclusions: The prevalence of tarsocrural OC/OCD in Norwegian Standardbreds is apparently increasing, whereas that of other articular DOD appears stable. Association analyses verify bilateralism for most equivalent lesions and suggest aetiological resemblance also between other lesions. The absence of a significant association between tarsocrural OCD and POF implies that the lesions must be considered statistically different disorders. Conclusions: The prevalence results emphasise that DOD should be considered in Standardbred breeding regimens (e.g. by sire selection subsequent to progeny testing). Also, improved phenotypic definitions will help elucidate the true causal genes in following genomic studies.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-09-06 PubMed ID: 21895752DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00434.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Prevalence
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Genetics
- Horse Breeds
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint
- Metatarsal Bones
- Musculoskeletal System
- Orthopedics
- Osteochondrosis
- Radiology
- Standardbred Horses
- Tarsal Joint
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research investigates the prevalence and relationships of developmental orthopaedic diseases (DOD) such as osteochondrosis (OC) and osteochondral fragments in Standardbred trotters, a breed of horse. The research unveils that the prevalence of such conditions is on the rise, and it reveals critical insights on the interrelationships of these conditions.
Objective and Methodology of the Study
- The primary purpose of this research was to determine the frequency, development trend, and interrelations of DODs in various joints of Standardbred trotters. The conditions focused on included osteochondrosis (OC), osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), plantar osteochondral fragments (POF), and ununited plantar eminences (UPE).
- The researchers radiographed the tarsocrural (ankle joint) and metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joints of 464 Norwegian Standardbred yearlings. They then calculated the prevalence and interrelations of osteochondral lesions in these areas.
Results of the Study
- Approximately half of the horses (50.7%) were diagnosed with osteochondral lesions.
- The prevalence of tarsocrural OC/OCD at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia (DIT) and the lateral trochlear ridge of the talus (LTT) was 19.3%.
- Prevalence of OC/OCD in MCP joints was low, recorded at 3.6%, compared to POF and UPE in MCP/MTP joints, which were at 23.1 and 3.9% respectively.
- Various interrelations were identified between the conditions, namely between most joint equivalents, between OCD DIT and OCD LTT, and between POF and UPE. However, these connections were generally not evident between hock and fetlock joints.
Conclusion and Implications
- The researchers concluded that the prevalence of tarsocrural OC/OCD in Norwegian Standardbreds appears to be increasing, whereas the prevalence of other articular DODs seems stable.
- Association analysis confirmed bilaterality for most equivalent lesions, meaning that if a lesion appeared in one joint, it was likely to appear in the corresponding joint on the opposite limb. The study suggested resemblances in aetiology among different lesions.
- The lack of significant association between tarsocrural OCD and POF indicates these are statistically different disorders, despite their common occurrence in the same population of horses.
- The research underscores the importance of considering DODs in Standardbred breeding practices—for example, by selecting sires based on their progeny testing results. If treated as a significant selection factor, it could potentially reduce the prevalence of these diseases amongst the breed.
- Improved phenotypic definitions could help in identifying the actual genes causing these diseases in future genomic analyses.
Cite This Article
APA
Lykkjen S, Roed KH, Dolvik NI.
(2011).
Osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in Standardbred trotters: prevalence and relationships.
Equine Vet J, 44(3), 332-338.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00434.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Norway. sigrid.lykkjen@nvh.no
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Forelimb / pathology
- Fractures, Cartilage / epidemiology
- Fractures, Cartilage / etiology
- Fractures, Cartilage / genetics
- Fractures, Cartilage / veterinary
- Hindlimb / pathology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Norway / epidemiology
- Osteochondrosis / epidemiology
- Osteochondrosis / etiology
- Osteochondrosis / genetics
- Osteochondrosis / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- 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.
- Zetterberg E, Leclercq A, Persson-Sjodin E, Lundblad J, Haubro Andersen P, Hernlund E, Rhodin M. Prevalence of vertical movement asymmetries at trot in Standardbred and Swedish Warmblood foals.. PLoS One 2023;18(4):e0284105.
- McCoy AM, Secor EJ, Roady PJ, Gray SM, Klein J, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD. Plantar osteochondral fragments in young Standardbreds are associated with minimal joint inflammation at the time of surgical removal.. Equine Vet J 2023 Jan;55(1):33-41.
- Raudsepp T, Finno CJ, Bellone RR, Petersen JL. Ten years of the horse reference genome: insights into equine biology, domestication and population dynamics in the post-genome era.. Anim Genet 2019 Dec;50(6):569-597.
- Hendrickson EHS, Lykkjen S, Dolvik NI, Olstad K. Prevalence of osteochondral lesions in the fetlock and hock joints of Standardbred horses that survived bacterial infection before 6 months of age.. BMC Vet Res 2018 Dec 10;14(1):390.
- McCoy AM, Ralston SL, McCue ME. Short- and long-term racing performance of Standardbred pacers and trotters after early surgical intervention for tarsal osteochondrosis.. Equine Vet J 2015 Jul;47(4):438-44.
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