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Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in horses: hormonal and biochemical study (19 cases).
Abstract: To investigate the hormonal and biochemical profiles of horses with osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), serum insulin, cortisol, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, fasting blood glucose (FBG), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high- and low-density lipoproteins, albumin and uric acid were measured in horses definitely diagnosed with OCD (n=19) as well as clinically normal horses (n=18). Proxies representing insulin sensitivity [reciprocal of square root of insulin concentration (RISQI)] and beta cell responsiveness [modified insulin to glucose ratio (MIRG)] were calculated. Body fat percent (BF%) was estimated according to fat depth over the rump using ultrasonography. Body condition score (BCS), weight, and waist circumference were also determined. Glucose was significantly higher and MIRG, BCS, BF% and TG were significantly lower in OCD- horses compared to control group. Based on BCS scores, horses in control group were overweight. The results of the present study, higher FBG and lower MIRG, might implicate the existence of a footmark of insulin/glucose derangement. The body mass index and muscle mass were not measured in this study; nonetheless, a lower BF% might implicate a higher body muscle mass in OCD affected horses, which were comparably underweight compared to control group. While insulin resistance does also occur in human individuals and horses with lower BF%, horses with higher muscle mass may show greater potential for exercise, which in turn, exerts greater physical pressure on cartilages. An underlying hormonal predisposition could make these horses more prone to OCD, originally triggered by mechanical pressures.
Publication Date: 2021-09-15 PubMed ID: 34815844PubMed Central: PMC8576161DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2020.104046.2495Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the hormonal and biochemical features of horses diagnosed with osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), revealing potential alterations in glucose-insulin balance and body composition, which may suggest a predisposition towards the condition triggered by physical pressures on cartilages.
Understanding the Research
To gain a deeper understanding of the study, the research can be unraveled under the following headings:
Methodology
- The study considered 19 horses with confirmed OCD and 18 clinically normal horses. Measures were taken for serum insulin, cortisol, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, fasting blood glucose (FBG), cholesterol, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoproteins, albumin, and uric acid. Insulin sensitivity and beta cell responsiveness were assessed through calculated proxies.
- Body fat percentage was estimated using ultrasonography to measure fat depth over the horse’s rump. Additional physical measurements such as body condition score, weight, and waist circumference were also taken.
Findings
- Results show that glucose levels were significantly higher in OCD horses than in control horses. Other notable differences include lower scores for beta cell responsiveness, body condition, body fat percentage, and triglycerides in OCD horses compared to controls.
- While the study suggests that higher glucose levels and lower beta cell responsiveness might indicate a derangement in insulin/glucose balance, no direct causation is established.
- Additionally, a lower body fat percentage in OCD horses might imply higher body muscle mass. Given that these horses were relatively underweight compared to the control group, it’s suggested that these horses could face greater physical pressure on their cartilages due to higher potential for exercise.
Implications and Limitations
- The findings suggest potential hormonal predispositions in horses with OCD, possibly triggered by mechanical pressures. This might provide directions for future research in understanding and preventing the disease in horses.
- However, it’s important to note that body mass index and muscle mass were not measured in this study – their direct impact on the condition remains speculative.
Cite This Article
APA
Ahmadi F, Mirshahi A, Mohri M, Sardari K, Sharifi K.
(2021).
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in horses: hormonal and biochemical study (19 cases).
Vet Res Forum, 12(3), 325-331.
https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2020.104046.2495 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Conflict of Interest Statement
We declare that there is no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Zimmermann E, Distl O. SNP-Based Heritability of Osteochondrosis Dissecans in Hanoverian Warmblood Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 25;13(9).
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