Osteochondrosis in the horse–searching for the key to pathogenesis.
Abstract: This paper reviews current developments in equine osteochondrosis complex and the clinical syndromes associated with it. Although the primary lesion has been defined as a failure of endochondral ossification, its definitive cause is unknown and appears to involve heredity, growth rate, nutrition, mineral imbalance, endocrinological dysfunction and biomechanical trauma. Despite the international importance of osteochondrosis in horses, surprisingly few controlled investigations have been performed on its pathogenesis. The studies that have been conducted suggest that local effects on differentiating growth cartilage are the key to a more complete understanding of the problem. Gaps in the current knowledge include in-depth understanding of the life cycle of chondrocytes in growth cartilage, the process of mineralisation and the use of a standard experimental model for the induction of osteochondrosis. The ultimate goal of osteochondrosis research must be to prevent or reduce the incidence of the condition in horses.
Publication Date: 1991-09-01 PubMed ID: 1959522DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb03733.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article explores the multifaceted causes and potential solutions for a bone and cartilage disease in horses known as osteochondrosis.
Understanding Equine Osteochondrosis Complex
- The article focuses on the complex disease known as equine osteochondrosis. It is marked by a failure in a process known as endochondral ossification, which is how cartilage transforms into bone during the growth phase. The precise cause of osteochondrosis remains uncertain.
- The condition is thought to be influenced by a range of factors, including hereditary traits, the pace of horse growth, nutritional aspects, imbalance of minerals, dysfunction of endocrinology which is the study of hormones and their impact and potential trauma associated with biomechanics or the way muscles, bones and tendons work for movement.
Current Research and Insights
- This study reveals the surprising fact that despite the significant impact of osteochondrosis on horses worldwide, there are only a few controlled investigations conducted till date on the disease’s origins and development.
- The available studies indicate that the local impact on the growth cartilage that is in the process of differentiating or transforming could hold the key to a more detailed understanding of osteochondrosis.
Gaps in Knowledge of Osteochondrosis
- The research expresses the need for a better understanding of several aspects related to osteochondrosis. This includes an in-depth study of the life cycle of chondrocytes (cells found in healthy cartilage), the process by which mineralization aids in converting cartilage into bone and establishing a common experimental model for inducing the osteochondrosis condition for controlled study.
Aim of Research on Osteochondrosis
- Ultimately, the overarching goal of such research in the field of osteochondrosis should be to find ways to either prevent this condition in horses or at least significantly reduce its incidence.
Cite This Article
APA
Jeffcott LB.
(1991).
Osteochondrosis in the horse–searching for the key to pathogenesis.
Equine Vet J, 23(5), 331-338.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb03733.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Veterinary Clinical Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Body Constitution
- Endocrine Glands / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horses
- Minerals / metabolism
- Osteochondritis / etiology
- Osteochondritis / genetics
- Osteochondritis / veterinary
- Physical Exertion
- Wounds and Injuries / complications
- Wounds and Injuries / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Ahmadi F, Mirshahi A, Mohri M, Sardari K, Sharifi K. Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in horses: hormonal and biochemical study (19 cases).. Vet Res Forum 2021;12(3):325-331.
- Seghrouchni M, Elkasraoui H, Piro M, Alyakine H, Bouayad H, Chakir J, Tligui N, Elallali K, Azrib R. Osteoarticular radiographic findings of the distal forelimbs in Tbourida Horses.. Heliyon 2019 Sep;5(9):e02514.
- Bourebaba L, Röcken M, Marycz K. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in Horses - Molecular Background of its Pathogenesis and Perspectives for Progenitor Stem Cell Therapy.. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2019 Jun;15(3):374-390.
- Peter VG, O'Keeffe TA, Smith LCR, Schweizer-Gorgas D. Radiographic Identification of Osseous Cyst- Like Lesions in the Distal Phalanx in 22 Lame Thoroughbred Horses Managed Conservatively and Their Racing Performance.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:286.
- van Grevenhof EM, Gezelle Meerburg ARD, van Dierendonck MC, van den Belt AJM, van Schaik B, Meeus P, Back W. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of standing-up behavior and the prevalence of osteochondrosis in Warmblood foals on different farms: could there be a link?. BMC Vet Res 2017 Nov 9;13(1):324.
- Lim CK, Hawkins JF, Vanderpool AL, Heng HG, Gillespie Harmon CC, Lenz SD. Osteochondritis dissecans-like lesions of the occipital condyle and cervical articular process joints in a Saddlebred colt horse.. Acta Vet Scand 2017 Oct 30;59(1):76.
- Van der Veen G, Fosgate GT, Botha FK, Meissner HH, Jacobs L, Prozesky L. Response of cattle with clinical osteochondrosis to mineral supplementation.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2017 Feb 24;84(1):e1-e6.
- Russell J, Matika O, Russell T, Reardon RJ. Heritability and prevalence of selected osteochondrosis lesions in yearling Thoroughbred horses.. Equine Vet J 2017 May;49(3):282-287.
- Mendoza L, Piquemal D, Lejeune JP, Vander Heyden L, Noguier F, Bruno R, Sandersen C, Serteyn D. Age-dependent expression of osteochondrosis-related genes in equine leukocytes.. Vet Rec Open 2015;2(1):e000058.
- Power J, Hernandez P, Wardale J, Henson FM. Alterations in sclerostin protein in lesions of equine osteochondrosis.. Vet Rec Open 2014;1(1):e000005.
- Desjardin C, Riviere J, Vaiman A, Morgenthaler C, Diribarne M, Zivy M, Robert C, Le Moyec L, Wimel L, Lepage O, Jacques C, Cribiu E, Schibler L. Omics technologies provide new insights into the molecular physiopathology of equine osteochondrosis.. BMC Genomics 2014 Oct 31;15(1):947.
- Desjardin C, Vaiman A, Mata X, Legendre R, Laubier J, Kennedy SP, Laloe D, Barrey E, Jacques C, Cribiu EP, Schibler L. Next-generation sequencing identifies equine cartilage and subchondral bone miRNAs and suggests their involvement in osteochondrosis physiopathology.. BMC Genomics 2014 Sep 17;15(1):798.
- Bates JT, Jacobs JC Jr, Shea KG, Oxford JT. Emerging genetic basis of osteochondritis dissecans.. Clin Sports Med 2014 Apr;33(2):199-220.
- Vos NJ. Incidence of osteochondrosis (dissecans) in Dutch warmblood horses presented for pre-purchase examination.. Ir Vet J 2008 Jan 1;61(1):33-7.
- Verwilghen DR, Vanderheyden L, Franck T, Busoni V, Enzerink E, Gangl M, Lejeune JP, van Galen G, Grulke S, Serteyn D. Variations of plasmatic concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in post-pubescent horses affected with developmental osteochondral lesions.. Vet Res Commun 2009 Oct;33(7):701-9.
- Dierks C, Löhring K, Lampe V, Wittwer C, Drögemüller C, Distl O. Genome-wide search for markers associated with osteochondrosis in Hanoverian warmblood horses.. Mamm Genome 2007 Oct;18(10):739-47.
- Okumura M, Asano M, Tagami M, Tsukiyama K, Fujinaga T. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin activity at the early growing stage in foals.. Can J Vet Res 1998 Apr;62(2):122-6.
- Thorp BH, Ekman S, Jakowlew SB, Goddard C. Porcine osteochondrosis: deficiencies in transforming growth factor-beta and insulin-like growth factor-I.. Calcif Tissue Int 1995 May;56(5):376-81.
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