Petrographic and geochemic evaluation of equine enteroliths.
Abstract: To characterize the texture, mineralogic features, and chemical features of enteroliths obtained from horses. Methods: Enteroliths from 13 horses with colic. Methods: Enteroliths were harvested from 13 horses that underwent ventral midline celiotomy for treatment of colic or necropsy because of colonic obstruction and rupture caused by enteroliths. Dietary and environmental history were determined via questionnaires or evaluation of medical records. In 7 horses that underwent surgical treatment for enterolithiasis, samples of colonic contents were obtained via an enterotomy in the pelvic flexure. Colonic concentrations of magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) were determined. Enteroliths were analyzed via electron microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction. Results: Enteroliths varied widely regarding degree of porosity, presence and distribution of radiating texture, and composition and size of the central nidus. A distinct concentric banding was identifiable in all enteroliths. Struvite was the predominant component of all enteroliths, although Mg vivianite was identified in 5 enteroliths, and there were variable quantities of Na, S, K, and Ca in the struvite within enteroliths. Despite an abundance of Ca in colonic fluids, Mg-phosphate minerals were preferentially formed, compared with Ca-phosphates (apatite), in equine enteroliths. Conclusions: Enteroliths comprise 2 major Mg phosphates: struvite and Mg vivianite. There is wide variability in macrotexture and ionic concentrations between and within enteroliths.
Publication Date: 2001-03-30 PubMed ID: 11277199DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.350Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research explores the mineralogical and chemical properties of enteroliths (stone-like formations) obtained from horses. The formation of these enteroliths often leads to health issues such as colic. The study utilized enteroliths gathered from 13 horses, collected during medical procedures due to colic or necropsy resulting from obstruction and rupture caused by these enteroliths.
Methods Used in the Study
- The researchers gathered enteroliths from 13 horses that had undergone a surgical procedure or necropsy due to the health issues caused by these enteroliths.
- Particular details regarding the dietary and environmental history of the horses were obtained through questionnaires and analysis of medical records.
- For 7 horses who had a surgical procedure, samples of colonic contents were collected. The colonic concentrations of different elements (magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, calcium, and potassium) were determined from these samples.
- The collected enteroliths were then analyzed using electron microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction.
Study Findings
- All enteroliths showcased a distinct pattern of concentric banding. But they varied widely regarding their level of porosity, the presence and distribution of radiating texture, and the characterization and size of the central nidus (the point of origin or nucleus).
- Struvite, a phosphate mineral, was the main component of all enteroliths. However, five of the enteroliths also contained magnesium vivianite.
- Different levels of sodium, sulfur, potassium, and calcium were found within the struvite component of the enteroliths.
- In comparison to calcium phosphates (apatite), magnesium phosphate minerals were the main component found within the enteroliths, despite the presence of abundant calcium in the colonic fluids.
Conclusions
- The enteroliths primarily comprised two types of magnesium phosphates: struvite and magnesium vivianite.
- Significant variability was noted in the macrotexture of the enteroliths and the ionic concentrations within them.
Cite This Article
APA
Hassel DM, Schiffman PS, Snyder JR.
(2001).
Petrographic and geochemic evaluation of equine enteroliths.
Am J Vet Res, 62(3), 350-358.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.350 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Letters & Science, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Calculi / chemistry
- Calculi / veterinary
- Colic / etiology
- Colic / metabolism
- Colic / veterinary
- Colonic Diseases / metabolism
- Colonic Diseases / pathology
- Colonic Diseases / veterinary
- Electron Probe Microanalysis / veterinary
- Gastrointestinal Contents / chemistry
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Intestinal Obstruction / etiology
- Intestinal Obstruction / metabolism
- Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
- Magnesium Compounds / analysis
- Phosphates / analysis
- Struvite
- X-Ray Diffraction
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Nakamae Y, Ishihara A, Itoh M, Yanagawa M, Sasaki N, Yamada K. Displacement of the large colon in a horse with enterolithiasis due to changed positions observed by computed tomography. J Equine Sci 2018;29(1):9-13.
- Blikslager A, Gonzalez L. Equine Intestinal Mucosal Pathobiology. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2018 Feb 15;6:157-175.
- Oreff GL, Shiraki R, Kelmer G. Removal of sialoliths using the intraoral approach in 15 horses. Can Vet J 2016 Jun;57(6):647-50.
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