Osteochondrosis (Osteochondritis Dissecans) in Lusitano Horses: Prevalence and Characteristics.
Abstract: Osteochondrosis (osteochondritis dissecans), OC(D), is an important joint disorder that has been studied through the years in different breeds but, to our knowledge, there are no reports of its prevalence in Lusitano horses. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of OC(D) in Lusitanos, define the characteristics of the disorder in this breed and compare with Spanish Purebred horses. This is a retrospective study that analysed the radiographs from the metacarpometatarsophalangeal, tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints that were taken in 302 Lusitano horses (1-12 years; obtained from 2007 until 2019). The classification of the radiographs for OC(D) was performed using a 0-4 scale and scored by three veterinarians. Radiographical evidence of OC(D) was diagnosed in 53.3% of the horses examined. Most of the findings were lesions of score 1 or 2 corresponding to flattening, (36.8%). The distal intermediate ridge of the tibia in the tarsocrural joint was the most affected predilection site (31.0%, n=187/604 joints assessed). Overall, the tarsocrural joints were more likely to be affected, followed by metatarso-metacarpophalangeal joints and finally the femoropatellar joints. The prevalence of horses with scores 3 or 4 (fragments) in any of the joints was 16.6%. A positive correlation was found between the scores of contralateral joints. We can conclude that the prevalence of OC(D) in Lusitano horses is similar to the prevalence in Spanish Purebred, but there is a lower percentage of fragmentation. The present phenotypic description can provide valuable information for further quantitative and molecular genetic studies.
Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2022-07-02 PubMed ID: 35787450DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104063Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study explores the occurrence and characteristics of Osteochondrosis (OC(D)), a joint disorder, in Lusitano horses. It revealed that over half of the examined horses had the disease, with most presenting early-stage characteristics, and that the prevalence of OC(D) in Lusitano horses parallels that in Spanish Purebred horses, but with less fragmentation.
Study Objective
- The purpose of this research was to determine how common Osteochondrosis (OC(D)) is in Lusitano horses, to describe the nature of the disease within this breed, and to compare it with occurrences in Spanish Purebred horses.
Methodology
- The study retrospectively analyzed radiographs from joints of 302 Lusitano horses between the ages of 1 and 12. The joints examined were the metacarpometatarsophalangeal, tarsocrural, and femoropatellar joints.
- These radiographs were gathered over a period of 12 years (2007 to 2019).
- The imaging results were categorized on a scale of 0 to 4, with the process being undertaken by three veterinarians.
Findings
- OC(D) was diagnosed in 53.3% of the horses examined, suggesting a fairly high prevalence of the disorder in Lusitano horses.
- The majority of the diagnosed horses had lesions of score 1 or 2, indicating a prevalence of early-stage disease characteristics (flattening).
- The most commonly affected area was the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia in the tarsocrural joint, followed by the metatarso-metacarpophalangeal joints, and then the femoropatellar joints
- The prevalence of horses with scores 3 or 4 (corresponding to fragmentation in any of the joints) was 16.6%.
- The study found a positive correlation between the scores of contralateral (opposite side) joints.
Conclusion
- The prevalence of OC(D) in Lusitano horses is comparable to its prevalence in Spanish Purebred horses. However, there is a lower rate of fragmentation seen in Lusitano horses.
- The findings offer valuable insights that can be used in future quantitative and molecular genetic studies.
Cite This Article
APA
Ramos S, Pinto A, Crespo J, Marques JP, Bettencourt E, Gama LT, Monteiro S.
(2022).
Osteochondrosis (Osteochondritis Dissecans) in Lusitano Horses: Prevalence and Characteristics.
J Equine Vet Sci, 117, 104063.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104063 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal. Electronic address: ascramos@uliege.be.
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
- AVM Assistência Médica Veterinária, São Félix da Marinha, Portugal.
- Equidesporto AVM, Cascais, Portugal.
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
- CIISA - Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Portugal.
- MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horses
- Osteochondritis Dissecans / diagnostic imaging
- Osteochondritis Dissecans / veterinary
- Osteochondrosis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteochondrosis / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Retrospective Studies
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