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Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 8; 786971; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.786971

The Gingiva of Horses With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction: A Macroscopic Anatomical Evaluation.

Abstract: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common neurodegenerative disease mainly in horses older than 15 years. The domestic equine population is following the same demographic change as that seen in humans; it is aging and veterinarians are asked to attend to geriatric horses more frequently. Common problems seen regularly in older equines are dental disorders and especially periodontal disease. As a systemic and endocrine disease, associated with delayed wound healing and impaired immune function, PPID should be considered before major dental treatment in aged equines is started. Possible negative effects of PPID on epithelial tissues could also affect the periodontium. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify gross changes in the gingiva associated with PPID. Fourteen horses with clinical signs of PPID and adenoma in the pituitary pars intermedia and 13 controls showing neither clinical signs nor PPID-associated histological changes in the pituitary gland were included. PPID-affected horses (26.9 ± 0.73 years) were significantly older than controls (20.0 ± 1.24 years). In the PPID-affected group, significantly more often an irregular and bulky appearance of the gingival texture was observed, as well as an irregular shape of the gingival margin. Furthermore, the sulcus gingivalis of cheek teeth frequently was deeper than 1 mm. These findings indicate a possible association between age, soft tissue alterations, and PPID and suggest a potential predisposition of PPID-affected horses for periodontal diseases.
Copyright © 2022 Nitzsche, Fey, Büttner, Gröf and Staszyk.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-25 PubMed ID: 35146012PubMed Central: PMC8821874DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.786971Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the potential effects of a prevalent neurodegenerative disease called Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in older horses on their dental health, primarily their gingival anatomy and texture. The aim is to identify any significant changes that could link PPID to the development of periodontal diseases, which are common dental disorders among older horses.

Background

  • Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is a frequently occurring neurodegenerative disease in horses over the age of 15. It affects the healing process of wounds and the immune system functionality due to its systemic and endocrine characteristics.
  • Like in humans, the domestic horse population is aging. Consequently, veterinarians are more frequently attending to older horses’ health. Typical problems they encounter include dental disorders and notably, periodontal diseases.
  • Given its systemic and endocrine nature and its associated negative effects on wound healing and immune system functionality, veterinarians are advised to consider PPID before initiating significant dental treatment in aged horses.

Research Objectives

  • The purpose of this study is to identify any macroscopic changes in the gingiva associated with PPID, particularly any that could affect the periodontium and rise to periodontal diseases.

Methodology

  • Researchers included in the study 14 horses showing clinical signs of PPID and adenoma in the pituitary pars intermedia. Additionally, they included 13 horses (controls) that showed neither clinical signs nor PPID-associated histological changes in the pituitary gland.
  • Horses affected by PPID were, on average, significantly older than the control group.

Findings

  • In the PPID-affected group, gross gingival changes were more commonly observed, characterized by an irregular and bulky texture and irregular shape of the gingival margin.
  • Additionally, the sulcus depth in the cheek teeth of PPID-affected horses was frequently deeper than 1mm.
  • These findings indicate a possible association between increased age, gingival soft tissue alterations, and PPID.
  • Based on the study results, it is suggested that horses affected by PPID may be more susceptible to developing periodontal diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Nitzsche AM, Fey K, Büttner K, Gröf M, Staszyk C. (2022). The Gingiva of Horses With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction: A Macroscopic Anatomical Evaluation. Front Vet Sci, 8, 786971. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.786971

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 786971

Researcher Affiliations

Nitzsche, Anne Maria
  • Equine Clinic, Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Fey, Kerstin
  • Equine Clinic, Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Büttner, Kathrin
  • Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Gröf, Manuela
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Staszyk, Carsten
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary-Anatomy, -Histology and -Embryology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

KF has a consultancy agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. The remaining authors declare that this study was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Menzies-Gow NJ. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 20;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080780pubmed: 40872730google scholar: lookup
  2. Zapf AM, Fey K, Büttner K, Gröf M, Staszyk C. Periodontal structures in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: A histological evaluation. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1114445.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1114445pubmed: 36733635google scholar: lookup
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