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Bertuglia A, Pallante M, Pagliara E, Valle D, Bergamini L, Bollo E, Bullone M, Riccio B. Determinants of joint effusion in tarsocrural osteochondrosis of yearling Standardbred horses. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1389798. [PMID: 39113724 PMCID: PMC11303144 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1389798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Tarsocrural osteochondrosis (OCD) is a developmental orthopedic disease commonly affecting young Standardbreds, with different fragment localization and size. Clinically, it is characterized by variable synovial effusion in the absence of lameness, whose determinants are ill-defined. We hypothesized that localization and physical characteristics of the osteochondral fragments like dimensions, multifragmentation, and instability influence joint effusion and correlate with synovial markers of cartilage degradation and inflammation. Clinical data, synovial fluid and intact osteochondral fragments were collected from 79 Standardbred horses, aged between 12 and 18 months, operated for tarsocrural OCD. The severity of tarsocrural joint effusion was assessed semi-quantitatively. The osteochondral fragment site was defined radiographically at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia (DIRT), medial malleolus (MM) of the tibia, and/or lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of the talus. Size, stability, and arthroscopic appearance (unique or multi-fragmented aspect) of the fragments were determined intra-operatively. Synovial concentrations of C-terminal cross-linked telopeptides of type II collagen (CTX-II), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were quantified. Tarsocrural synovial effusion was significantly affected by localization and stability of the fragments, with MM-located and unstable fragments being associated with highest joint effusion. Concentrations of CTX-II, LTB4, and PGE2 positively correlated with the severity of synovial effusion. This study underlines characteristics of the osteochondral fragments determining higher synovial effusion in OCD-affected tarsocrural joints and suggests both inflammation and extra-cellular matrix degradation are active processes in OCD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bertuglia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marcello Pallante
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pagliara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Daniela Valle
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Enrico Bollo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Bullone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Riccio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
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McCoy AM, Scolman KN. Impact of periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus diagnosed in nonlame yearling Standardbred horses on racing performance. Vet Surg 2023; 52:1050-1056. [PMID: 37395547 PMCID: PMC10848655 DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify the radiographic prevalence of periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus in nonlame yearling Standardbred horses, and to evaluate its potential impact on race performance. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort study. ANIMALS Client-owned yearling Standardbred horses (n = 416). METHODS Bilateral tarsal radiographs were available from all horses for review. Osteophytes were measured on radiographs using clinical visualization software and categorized by size. Racing records were obtained from the United States Trotting Association. Regression analysis was used to determine associations between presence or size of periarticular osteophytes and performance parameters with sex and gait covariates. RESULTS Of 416 Standardbred yearlings without clinical lameness, 113 (27.1%) had distal tarsal periarticular osteophytes. Regression analyses revealed few associations between the presence of periarticular osteophytes and performance parameters. Affected horses had fewer starts at 4 years of age (incident rate ratio [IRR] 0.92, p = .01) and fewer lifetime starts (IRR 0.95, p = .003), but the effect size was small. Within the affected group, osteophyte size was only associated with number of starts at 3 (IRR 0.67, p < .0001). Sex and gait affected many performance parameters. CONCLUSION The prevalence of distal tarsal periarticular osteophytes was similar to that in other breeds. Periarticular osteophytes of the distal tarsus appeared to be a largely incidental finding in nonlame yearling Standardbreds intended for harness racing. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Distal tarsal periarticular osteophytes in young, nonlame Standardbred horses should affect racing potential only minimally. This is in contrast to reports from other disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette M McCoy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Kara N Scolman
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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McCoy AM, Secor EJ, Roady PJ, Gray SM, Klein J, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD. Plantar osteochondral fragments in young Standardbreds are associated with minimal joint inflammation at the time of surgical removal. Equine Vet J 2023; 55:33-41. [PMID: 35298851 PMCID: PMC10083909 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plantar osteochondral fragments (POF) are common but their effect on joint health of young Standardbreds in race training is largely unknown. OBJECTIVES Evaluate the inflammatory effects of POF in metatarsophalangeal joints of young Standardbreds as a step towards developing evidence-based recommendations for surgical removal. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study. METHODS Forty-nine Standardbred horses (age 11-33 months) presented for surgical removal of POF from 56 metatarsophalangeal joints. Synovial tissue collected at arthroscopy was subjected to histopathology. IL-1β, TNF-α, and PGE-2 were measured in synovial fluid using ELISA. Digital arthroscopy images were scored for inflammation. Racing performance data were retrieved from a public database. RESULTS Median time in race training prior to surgery was 8 weeks (IQR 4-12; range 0-40). There was minimal evidence of synovial inflammation as assessed by histopathology (median total score 2/20, IQR 0-2, range 0-5) or arthroscopy (median average total score 2.67/15, IQR 1.79-4, range 0-8.83). IL-1β was not detected in any sample. TNF-α (median 0 pg/mL, IQR 0-0) and PGE-2 (median 56.6 pg/mL, IRQ 40.5-99.8) were measured at low levels. Weeks in training prior to surgery was associated with the number of starts in the season after surgery (incidence rate ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.04, P = .03). MAIN LIMITATIONS Small sample size from a single breed with a relatively short training time prior to surgery. CONCLUSIONS There was minimal evidence of synovial inflammation in the metatarsophalangeal joints in this population of young Standardbred horses with POF. It is possible that POF may result in a different inflammatory response than other fragments because they are generally well-embedded in situ. These findings suggest that, in Standardbreds, race training can commence several weeks prior to surgical removal of POF with minimal detrimental effects on joint health, although further investigation of long-term effects of POF on joint health is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette M McCoy
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Erica J Secor
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Patrick J Roady
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Sarah M Gray
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Julie Klein
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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Hoey S, Stokes D, McAllister H, Puggioni A, Skelly C. A systematic review evaluating the use of ultrasound in the identification of osteochondrosis in horses. Vet J 2022; 282:105825. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Boorman S, Hofmeister EH, Ross MW, Ralston S, Bell G, Mackie S, Ortved K. Influence of osteochondrosis on the longevity and racing performance of standardbred trotters and pacers. Vet Surg 2021; 50:507-516. [PMID: 33460472 DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the influence of clinical osteochondrosis (OC) on the short-term (2, 3, and 4-year-old) and long-term racing performance and longevity of standardbred racehorses. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. SAMPLE POPULATION Standardbred racehorses from a single breeding farm born between 2009 and 2017 that survived to racing age (n = 2711). Three hundred eighty-two (14%) horses were OC-affected (829 lesions confirmed arthroscopically during surgical treatment), and 2329 (86%) horses were nonaffected. METHODS Racing performance data were obtained from an online database and evaluated with multiple linear regression models. RESULTS Trotters were more likely than pacers to be affected by OC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.9, P = .006). Compared with nonaffected horses, long-term OC-affected horses had 8.8 fewer starts (95% CI = -14.4 to -3.2, P = .002), 1.0 fewer wins (95% CI = -1.9 to -0.1, P = .030), and 3.8 fewer total number of first through third place finishes (95% CI = -6.2 to -1.4, P < .0001). Nonaffected horses had longer careers compared with OC-affected horses, racing 0.32 years longer (95% CI = -0.52 to -0.12, P = .002). Osteochondrosis had no impact on short-term racing performance. Horses with lesions at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia or lateral trochlear ridge of the talus had decreased performance compared with horses without these lesions. CONCLUSION Pacers were less likely than trotters to be affected by OC. Affected horses had fewer starts and shorter careers, despite early surgical intervention. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Osteochondrosis decreases long-term racing performance in racing standardbreds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Boorman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
| | - Erik H Hofmeister
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
| | - Michael W Ross
- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah Ralston
- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
| | - Garrett Bell
- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah Mackie
- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
| | - Kyla Ortved
- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
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McCoy AM, Beeson SK, Splan RK, Lykkjen S, Ralston SL, Mickelson JR, McCue ME. Identification and validation of risk loci for osteochondrosis in standardbreds. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:41. [PMID: 26753841 PMCID: PMC4709891 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2385-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteochondrosis (OC), simply defined as a failure of endochondral ossification, is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors that is commonly diagnosed in young horses, as well as other domestic species. Although up to 50 % of the risk for developing OC is reportedly inherited, specific genes and alleles underlying risk are thus far completely unknown. Regions of the genome identified as associated with OC vary across studies in different populations of horses. In this study, we used a cohort of Standardbred horses from the U.S. (n = 182) specifically selected for a shared early environment (to reduce confounding factors) to identify regions of the genome associated with tarsal OC. Subsequently, putative risk variants within these regions were evaluated in both the discovery population and an independently sampled validation population of Norwegian Standardbreds (n = 139) with tarsal OC. RESULTS After genome-wide association analysis of imputed data with information from >200,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms, two regions on equine chromosome 14 were associated with OC in the discovery cohort. Variant discovery in these and 30 additional regions of interest (including 11 from other published studies) was performed via whole-genome sequencing. 240 putative risk variants from 10 chromosomes were subsequently genotyped in both the discovery and validation cohorts. After correction for population structure, gait (trot or pace) and sex, the variants most highly associated with OC status in both populations were located within the chromosome 14 regions of association. CONCLUSIONS The association of putative risk alleles from within the same regions with disease status in two independent populations of Standardbreds suggest that these are true risk loci in this breed, although population-specific risk factors may still exist. Evaluation of these loci in other populations will help determine if they are specific to the Standardbred breed, or to tarsal OC or are universal risk loci for OC. Further work is needed to identify the specific variants underlying OC risk within these loci. This is the first step towards the long-term goal of constructing a genetic risk model for OC that allows for genetic testing and quantification of risk in individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette M McCoy
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN, USA. .,Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, 1008 Hazelwood Dr., Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - Samantha K Beeson
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN, USA.
| | - Rebecca K Splan
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, 3470 Litton Reaves Hall, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Sigrid Lykkjen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NMBU-School of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 8146 Dep., Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sarah L Ralston
- School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 84 Lipman Dr., New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - James R Mickelson
- Veterinary Biological Sciences Department, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Ave., St. Paul, MN, USA.
| | - Molly E McCue
- Veterinary Population Medicine Department, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN, USA.
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