Cover American Journal of Veterinary Research
American Journal of Veterinary Research
ISSN:
0002-9645
Publication Date:
01 Dec 2007
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Editorial Type:
Bone, Joint, and Cartilage

Evaluation of the influences of exercise, birth date, and osteochondrosis on plasma bone marker concentrations in Hanoverian Warmblood foals

Ingrid Vervuert Dr med vet1, Sarah Winkelsett Dr med vet2, Ludwig Christmann3, Erich Bruns4, Hans-Otto Hoppen Dr med vet5, Ottmar Distl Dr med vet6, Bodo Hertsch Dr med vet7, and Manfred Coenen Dr med vet8
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  • 1 Institute for Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30173 Hannover, Germany
  • | 2 Institute for Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30173 Hannover, Germany
  • | 3 Hanoverian Breeders Association, D-27283 Verden, Germany
  • | 4 Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
  • | 5 Institute for Chemical Analysis and Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30173 Hannover, Germany
  • | 6 Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30559 Hannover, Germany
  • | 7 Clinic for Horses, Surgery, and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, D-14163 Berlin, Germany
  • | 8 Institute for Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30173 Hannover, Germany
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.68.12.1319
Volume/Issue:
Volume 68: Issue 12
Online Publication Date:
01 Dec 2007
Restricted access
Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

Objective—To determine whether plasma concentrations of bone turnover markers in growing Hanoverian foals are influenced by age, housing conditions, or osteochondrosis.

Animals—165 healthy foals and 119 foals with osteochondrosis.

Procedures—Foals were allocated according to birth date and housing management into groups of early-born (born before March 31, 2001; n = 154 foals, 88 of which were healthy and 66 of which had osteochondrosis) and late-born (born after March 31, 2001; 130 foals, 77 of which were healthy and 53 of which had osteochondrosis) foals. Plasma osteocalcin and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen concentrations were analyzed as markers of bone formation, and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen concentration was analyzed as a marker of bone resorption. Foals underwent radiographic evaluation to screen for osteochondrosis.

Results—Plasma concentrations of osteocalcin, carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen, and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen decreased with age, but these changes were more distinct in late-born foals than in early-born foals. Neither sex nor predisposition to develop osteochondrosis affected the pattern of bone marker changes in either group.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—An age-related decrease in concentrations of bone markers was seen during the first 200 days of life. Changes in bone marker concentrations were similar for foals with osteochondrosis and healthy foals. The correlation between the decrease in bone marker concentration and date of birth indicates that there are differences in skeletal development between early- and late-born foals.

Abstract

Objective—To determine whether plasma concentrations of bone turnover markers in growing Hanoverian foals are influenced by age, housing conditions, or osteochondrosis.

Animals—165 healthy foals and 119 foals with osteochondrosis.

Procedures—Foals were allocated according to birth date and housing management into groups of early-born (born before March 31, 2001; n = 154 foals, 88 of which were healthy and 66 of which had osteochondrosis) and late-born (born after March 31, 2001; 130 foals, 77 of which were healthy and 53 of which had osteochondrosis) foals. Plasma osteocalcin and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen concentrations were analyzed as markers of bone formation, and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen concentration was analyzed as a marker of bone resorption. Foals underwent radiographic evaluation to screen for osteochondrosis.

Results—Plasma concentrations of osteocalcin, carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen, and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen decreased with age, but these changes were more distinct in late-born foals than in early-born foals. Neither sex nor predisposition to develop osteochondrosis affected the pattern of bone marker changes in either group.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—An age-related decrease in concentrations of bone markers was seen during the first 200 days of life. Changes in bone marker concentrations were similar for foals with osteochondrosis and healthy foals. The correlation between the decrease in bone marker concentration and date of birth indicates that there are differences in skeletal development between early- and late-born foals.

Contributor Notes

Drs. Vervuert and Coenen's present address is Institute for Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Gustav-Kühn-Str. 8, D-04159 Leipzig, Germany.

Supported by the German Fédération Equestre Nationale, German Hanoverian Breeders Association, and the American Hanoverian Breeders Association.

The authors thank Stefan Krieger and Kathrin Meyer for technical assistance.

Address correspondence to Dr. Vervuert.