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Veterinarni medicina2024; 69(5); 156-168; doi: 10.17221/102/2023-VETMED

Transitional, fused and/or supernumerary vertebrae in the lumbosacrocaudal region of the spine – A reality in many domestic mammals.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the presence of transitional lumbosacral and sacrocaudal vertebrae in domestic mammals, to realise a comparative analysis of the localisation and conformation of this abnormal condition. The research included the following species: cattle - 29 specimens, sheep - 32 specimens, horse - 31 specimens, pig - 26 specimens, rabbit - 33 specimens, dog - 89 specimens and cat - 57 specimens. The spine of the animals was analysed post-mortem or radiologically. The investigations revealed the presence of transitional vertebrae as follows: in cattle - 3 cases (8.7%), all being about the lumbarisation of the first sacral vertebra (S1); in sheep - 3 cases (9.37%), two lumbarisation cases of S1 and one caudalisation of S4 (the last sacral vertebra); in horses - 4 cases (12.9%), all about the sacralisation of Cd1 (first caudal vertebra); in pigs - 3 cases (11.53%), two lumbarisation cases of S1 and one sacralisation of Cd1; in rabbits - 3 cases (9.09%), a lumbar supernumerary vertebra (L8) and two cases of caudalisation of S4; in dogs - 4 cases (4.49%), a lumbar supernumerary vertebra (L8) and 3 cases of sacralisation of the last lumbar vertebra (L7 or L8); in cats - 3 cases (5.26%), two sacralisation cases of the last lumbar vertebra and one case of caudalisation of the last sacral vertebra (S3). A strong lumbarisation process was observed in ruminants (especially in cattle), then in pigs, the sacralisation being prevalent in carnivores. The sacrocaudal transitional vertebra was predominant in horses. No evident influence of the sex and age of the animals was observed.
Copyright: © 2024 Covasa et al.
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Publication Date: 2024-05-27 PubMed ID: 38841130PubMed Central: PMC11148713DOI: 10.17221/102/2023-VETMEDGoogle 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.

Overview

  • This study examines the presence and variation of transitional, fused, and extra vertebrae in the lumbosacrocaudal region of the spine across several domestic mammal species.
  • It identifies the types and frequencies of these spinal abnormalities and compares their localization and formation among different animals.

Research Objective

  • To detect transitional vertebrae in the lumbosacral and sacrocaudal region of various domestic mammals.
  • To perform a comparative analysis regarding the position and anatomical conformation of these anomalies.

Species and Sample Size

  • Cattle: 29 specimens
  • Sheep: 32 specimens
  • Horses: 31 specimens
  • Pigs: 26 specimens
  • Rabbits: 33 specimens
  • Dogs: 89 specimens
  • Cats: 57 specimens

Methodology

  • Spines analyzed either post-mortem or radiologically.
  • Focus on vertebral abnormalities specifically in the lumbosacral (lower lumbar and sacral) and sacrocaudal (sacral to tail) vertebral regions.

Key Findings: Presence and Types of Transitional Vertebrae

  • Cattle: 3 cases (8.7%), all transitional involving lumbarisation of the first sacral vertebra (S1). Lumbarisation means S1 resembles a lumbar vertebra, effectively increasing lumbar vertebra count.
  • Sheep: 3 cases (9.37%):
    • Two involved lumbarisation of S1.
    • One involved caudalisation of the last sacral vertebra (S4), meaning sacral vertebra takes characteristics of a more caudal (tail) vertebra.
  • Horses: 4 cases (12.9%), all involved sacralisation of the first caudal vertebra (Cd1), meaning Cd1 resembles a sacral vertebra, partially fusing or extending the sacral region into the tail.
  • Pigs: 3 cases (11.53%):
    • Two lumbarisation cases of S1.
    • One sacralisation of Cd1.
  • Rabbits: 3 cases (9.09%):
    • One lumbar supernumerary vertebra (extra lumbar vertebra, labeled L8).
    • Two cases of caudalisation of the last sacral vertebra (S4).
  • Dogs: 4 cases (4.49%):
    • One lumbar supernumerary vertebra (L8).
    • Three cases of sacralisation of the last lumbar vertebra (L7 or L8).
  • Cats: 3 cases (5.26%):
    • Two cases of sacralisation of the last lumbar vertebra.
    • One case of caudalisation of the last sacral vertebra (S3).

Comparative Insights and Trends

  • Lumbarisation is predominantly observed in ruminants (cattle and sheep), especially cattle; also notable in pigs.
  • Sacralisation is more prevalent in carnivores (dogs and cats), indicating the last lumbar vertebra assumes sacral traits.
  • Sacrocaudal transitional vertebrae are predominantly observed in horses, with sacralisation of Cd1 being common.
  • The presence of supernumerary vertebra (extra vertebra) was reported in rabbits and dogs (an extra lumbar vertebra L8).

Additional Observations

  • No significant influence of sex or age of the animals on the occurrence of transitional vertebrae was observed. These anomalies appear independent of these demographic parameters.

Significance of the Study

  • Highlights that transitional and fused vertebrae are a common anatomical variation across domestic mammals.
  • Shows species-specific patterns of vertebral anomalies reflecting evolutionary or developmental tendencies in spine morphology.
  • Provides a comparative anatomical framework useful for veterinary medicine, particularly in diagnostics, clinical assessments, and understanding spine-related disorders.
  • Data on frequencies and types of vertebral changes assist in better interpretation of radiological and anatomical findings in domestic animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Covasa CT. (2024). Transitional, fused and/or supernumerary vertebrae in the lumbosacrocaudal region of the spine – A reality in many domestic mammals. Vet Med (Praha), 69(5), 156-168. https://doi.org/10.17221/102/2023-VETMED

Publication

Veterinarni medicina
ISSN: 0375-8427
NlmUniqueID: 0063417
Country: Czech Republic
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 5
Pages: 156-168

Researcher Affiliations

Covasa, Costica Toader
  • Department of Preclinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences, Iasi, Romania.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Gunji M, Taewcharoen N, Yamada F, Sherratt E. Does fast running limit numerical variability of the vertebral column in rabbits and hares (Leporidae: Lagomorpha)?. R Soc Open Sci 2025 Jan;12(1):241813.
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