Dataset Information

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Warmblood Horses: 36 Lame and 26 Control Limbs (2015-2021).

ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the distribution and severity of bone and soft tissue lesions in the proximal metacarpal region of warmblood horses in lame and control groups. Correlation between lesions and ability to return to work was evaluated in the lame group. Methods: This restrospective analysis evaluated 62 horses with MRI examination of the proximal metacarpal region between Sept 2015 and Feb 2021. There were 36 lame limbs and 26 control limbs. The control group included seven contralateral limbs. Results: Proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) size was not different between the lame and control groups. Hyperintensity seen on T1W/T2^*W GRE images within the dorsal collagenous part of the PSL and hyperintense Short-TI Inversion Recovery (STIR) signal within the dorsal collagenous part of the PSL or within the McIII were only present within the lame group. Palmar cortical McIII resorption and dorsal margin irregularity of the PSL and McIII sclerosis were more severe within the lame limbs, but mild gradations were also seen in control limbs. Intermediate gradings for a subset of lesions were commonly seen in the non-lame contralateral to lame limbs. Return to work in the lame group is not statistically different for any measured observation(s), and 19/33 of the lame horses returned to work at similar or higher levels. Conclusion and clinical importance: Fifty-eight percent in this group of warmblood horses returned to work within a variable time frame. The majority (81%) of lame limbs showed bone and soft tissue abnormalities, but no enlargement of the PSL was noted in lame horses, and no correlation was seen between the severity or type of lesions and the ability to return to work. The presence of STIR hyperintensity within the proximal McIII or dorsal collagenous part of the PSL and hyperintensity within the dorsal collagenous part of the PSL on T1W GRE and T2^*W GRE images, as well as significant palmar cortical McIII resorption are considered clinically relevant lesions. Contralateral limbs may not truly represent the normal condition, showing nonclinical variations and adaptive remodeling.

SUBMITTER: van Veggel E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8388851 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Simple Summary Pain in the region of the origin of the suspensory ligament is a common cause of lameness in endurance horses, but the effect of exercise on the suspensory ligament and its attachment site on the cannon bone has not been described. This study aimed to document magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in the region of the origin of the suspensory ligament induced by six months of endurance training and competition in six non-lame novice and six non-lame experienced endurance horses. Measurements were acquired from low-field MR images. After six months of exercise, there were no changes in the thickness of the cannon bone cortex or the size of the suspensory ligament. In the area where the suspensory ligament starts, the cortex of the cannon bone was thicker in older, more experienced horses than in younger, less experienced horses. This suggests that exercise has a long-term effect. The results of this study can aid veterinarians in the interpretation of MRI studies of lame horses. To establish the long-term effect of endurance exercise on the structures in the region of the suspensory ligament origin, further studies with a larger number of horses and longer follow-ups are needed. Abstract Proximal metacarpal injury is common in endurance horses, yet exercise-induced changes in this region have not been described. This study aimed to document objective exercise-induced changes in the proximal palmar cortex of the third metacarpal bone (PcMcIII) and the suspensory ligament (SL). Low-field magnetic resonance (MR) images of both proximal metacarpal regions were obtained from six novice and six experienced horses, before and after six months of endurance training. Measurements were acquired in T1-weighted transverse MR images at four levels and included the thickness of the PcMcIII, the mediolateral width, and the dorsopalmar depth of the entire SL and its lobes. We used t-tests or their nonparametric equivalents to compare the measurements from the two examinations and both novice and experienced horses. The medial aspect of PcMcIII was significantly thicker in experienced horses than in novice horses at 2 and 3 cm distal to the carpometacarpal joint. This likely reflects the cumulative effect of long-term exercise and possibly age. The PcMcIII was significantly thicker medially than laterally. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-season measurements. Six months of endurance training were not sufficient to induce changes in the thickness of PcMcIII or the SL that are detectable in low-field MR images.

Project description:BACKGROUND:To report a novel exertional myopathy, myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) in Warmblood (WB) horses. OBJECTIVES:To 1) describe the distinctive clinical and myopathic features of MFM in Warmblood horses and 2) investigate the potential inheritance of MFM in a Warmblood family. STUDY DESIGN:Retrospective selection of MFM cases and prospective evaluation of a Warmblood family. METHODS:Retrospectively, muscle biopsies were selected from Warmblood horses diagnosed with MFM and clinical histories obtained (n = 10). Prospectively, muscle biopsies were obtained from controls (n = 8) and a three generation WB family (n = 11). Samples were assessed for histopathology [scored 0-3], fibre types, cytoskeletal and Z disc protein aggregates, electron microscopic alterations (EM) and muscle glycogen concentrations. RESULTS:Myofibrillar myopathy-affected cases experienced exercise intolerance, reluctance to go forward, stiffness and poorly localised lameness. Abnormal aggregates of the cytoskeletal protein desmin were found in up to 120 type 2a and a few type 2x myofibres of MFM cases. Desmin positive fibres did not stain for developmental myosin, α actinin or dystrophin. Scores for internalised myonuclei (score MFM 0.83 ± 0.67, controls 0.22 ± 0.45), anguloid atrophy (MFM 0.95 ± 0.55, controls 0.31 ± 0.37) and total myopathic scores (MFM 5.85 ± 2.10, controls 1.41 ± 2.17) were significantly higher in MFM cases vs. CONTROLS:Focal Z disc degeneration, myofibrillar disruption and accumulation of irregular granular material was evident in MFM cases. Muscle glycogen concentrations were similar between MFM cases and controls. In the Warmblood family, desmin positive aggregates were found in myofibres of the founding dam and in horses from two subsequent generations. MAIN LIMITATIONS:Restricted sample size due to limited availability of well phenotyped cases. CONCLUSIONS:A distinctive and potentially heritable form of MFM exists in Warmblood horses that present with exercise intolerance and abnormal hindlimb gait. Muscle tissue is characterised by ectopic accumulation of desmin and Z disc and myofibrillar degeneration.

Project description:BackgroundMyofibrillar myopathy (MFM) of unknown aetiology has recently been identified in Warmblood (WB) horses. In humans, 16 genes have been implicated in various MFM-like disorders.ObjectivesTo identify variants in 16 MFM candidate genes and compare allele frequencies of all variants between MFM WB and non-MFM WB and coding variants with moderate or severe predicted effects in MFM WB with publicly available data of other breeds. To compare differential gene expression and muscle fibre contractile force between MFM and non-MFM WB.Study designCase-control.Animals8 MFM WB, 8 non-MFM WB, 33 other WB, 32 Thoroughbreds, 80 Quarter Horses and 77 horses of other breeds in public databases.MethodsVariants were called within transcripts of 16 candidate genes using gluteal muscle mRNA sequences aligned to EquCab3.0 and allele frequencies compared by Fisher's exact test among MFM WB, non-MFM WB and public sequences across breeds. Candidate gene differential expression was determined between MFM and non-MFM WB by fitting a negative binomial generalised log-linear model per gene (false discovery rate <0.05). The maximal isometric force/cross-sectional area generated by isolated membrane-permeabilised muscle fibres was determined.ResultsNone of the 426 variants identified in 16 candidate genes were associated with MFM including 26 missense variants. Breed-specific differences existed in allele frequencies. Candidate gene differential expression and muscle fibre-specific force did not differ between MFM WB (143.1 ± 34.7 kPa) and non-MFM WB (140.2 ± 43.7 kPa) (P = .8).Main limitationsRNA-seq-only assays transcripts expressed in skeletal muscle. Other possible candidate genes were not evaluated.ConclusionsEvidence for association of variants with a disease is essential because coding sequence variants are common in the equine genome. Variants identified in MFM candidate genes, including two coding variants offered as commercial MFM equine genetic tests, did not associate with the WB MFM phenotype.

Dataset Information

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of the Proximal Metacarpal Region in Warmblood Horses: 36 Lame and 26 Control Limbs (2015-2021).

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