Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The data resulting from this study (in outcomes below) have been disseminated to a wide audience of Animal Scientists and Veterinarians through oral presentation and publication in the Proceedings of the 2010 Australasian Equine Science Society Symposium in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Kevin H. Kline, Professor of Animal Science at the University of Illinois served as Primary Investigator for this study. Joseph T. Lyman, DVM, had initially been identified as the Veterinarian that would supervise the flouroscopic examinations of horses in the study, however due to changing job situation, he was replaced by Dr. Philip Kapraun, DVM, who performed the flouroscopic examinations of horses in this study. Kenneth L. Walker, DVM, supervised the daily welfare of all horses during the portion of this study conducted at Dr. Walker's Standardbred horse breeding farm. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this study was Animal Scientists and Veterinarians that offer recommendations regarding feeding horses for optimum health and soundness. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The only modification took place early in the study, as previously reported, in that Dr. Joseph Lyman, DVM was unable to conduct the flouroscopic examinations of horses in this study, and Dr. Philip Kapraun, DVM was the Veterinarian that performed the flouroscope examinations of the horses.
Impacts
At initial examination, 50.41% (n=61) of the sample group presented with Osteochondrosis (OC) lesions. Lesions in multiple joints occurred in 17.35% (n=21) of horses, with 12.39% (n=15) of horses possessing bilateral lesions. At the final fluoroscopic examination, 42.98% (n=52) of horses presented with OC lesions. Lesions in multiple joints occurred in 15.70% (n=19) of the sample group, with 7.43% (n=9) presenting with bilateral lesions. Incidence of OC in offspring from each sire ranged from 30% to 62.50%. Logistic regression analysis showed that sire was not a significant predictor of OC in the sample group (P=0.23). Also, gender did not influence incidence of OC (P=0.77). In general, comparison of OC lesions did not change between fluoroscopic examinations. Of the horses on the experimental diet with added boron, 69.35% (n=43) did not significantly change during the interim between examinations. Of the horses on the control diet, 54.24% (n=32) did not show significantly different radiographic findings. Logistic regression analysis found that treatment did not significantly affect final radiographic findings (P=0.43), however, slightly more horses had improved diagnoses after the treatment period as compared to before. Data also indicates that gender did not influence final radiographic outcome (P=0.19). Of the sample group, 53.45% (n=31) of colts and 69.84% (n=44) of fillies did not change between fluoroscopic exams. Sire did not influence change between examinations (P=0.92). Equal numbers of horses by each sire did not undergo a change in radiographic diagnosis between scans as compared to those that either improved or worsened. Dietary treatment did have a significant effect on Average Daily Gain (ADG) (P<0.05). Sire did not have a significant effect on ADG (P=0.16), but Sire x Treatment interaction appeared to have a moderate influence (P=0.08). Gender also did not influence ADG (P=0.78). The mean ADG for horses on the B diet was 0.70 Kg/d, while the horses on the C diet had a mean ADG of 0.64 Kg/d. This difference proved to be significant as the 95% confidence intervals do not overlap. There were no significant differences in the mean ADG in horses sorted by sire. These findings suggest that the problem of OCD in foals presents much earlier than initially thought, and that any attempt to nutritionally influence OC development in foals will likely need to be focused on the diet of pregnant mares rather than foals.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Initial fluoroscopy showed that 50% of the study horses had one or more radiographic lesions in one or more joints. Final fluoroscopic scans did not find a significant change in radiographic status. The logistic regression determined that diet treatment, sire, and sex had no effect on frequency of radiographic lesions. However, horses receiving supplemental boron (Treatment B) had significantly greater (P<0.05) average daily gain than horses on the control diet (Treatment C), suggesting a nutritional benefit. PARTICIPANTS: Kevin H. Kline, PhD, Professor of Aninal Sciences, University of Illinois. Ryan Avenatti, MS, Graduate Assistant, University of Illinois. Kenneth L. Walker, DVM, farm veterinarian, Walker Standardbreds, Sherman, Illinois. Philip Kapraun, DVM, Kapraun Equine Practice, Harvard, Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included equine practictioners and horse managers, and results were disseminated through presentations at an international Equine Science Society symposium and through the participating equine practitioners and their clientele. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Of 315 horses examined, 184 (58.41%) were found to have lesions. Of those with reported lesions, 119 (37.77%) were determined to require surgery. It was found that gender did not influence the probability of lesions (p=0.2992). Sire was also not found to be a significant predictor of lesions (p=0.1912). However, sire was a statistically significant indicator of horses requiring corrective surgery (p=0.0213). While genetics (sire of yearling) was found be a statistically significant (P < 0.05) predictor of the necessity of corrective surgery if lesions are present, it was not found to be a reliable predictor of the incidence of developmental joint abnormalities of yearling Standardbred horses in this study.
Publications
- Kapraun, P.R., Avenatti, R.C. and Kline, K.H. 2008. Influence of sire and gender on fluoroscopic incidence of bony lesions in Illinois Standardbred yearlings. Proceedings of the Second Australian Equine Science Society Symposium, 38-39.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The results of the studies conducted were first disseminated to the scientific community as abstracts in an international conference, the Second Australian Equine Science Symposium, held in Gold Coast, Queensland, June 4 - 6, 2008, and as a Master's degree thesis by Mr. Ryan Avenatti, in May of 2009. The complete journal articles are currently under development. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Kevin H. Kline, Professor of Animal Science, University of Illinois was the PI for these studies, and directed MS degree candidate, Mr. Ryan Avenatti in aquisition, analysis, and dissemination of data for these studies. Dr. Philip Kapraun, DVM conducted all radiographic procedures, and maintained records of yearling horse radiographic results. Dr. Joseph Lyman, DVM was removed from the study (and the associated animal use protocol) when it became apparent that he would be unable to fulfill the duties that were assumed by Dr. Kapraun. Dr. Kenneth Walker was responsible for the daily care of the 121 weanling/yearling horses housed on his farm for the duration of the boron diet treatment study. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for these studies include veterinarians and equine researchers responsible for making nutritional, management and breeding recommendatiosn to the horse industry. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Two studies were performed for which preliminary results have been obtained. In the first study, a total of 121 Standardbred weanling horses were initially weighed and evaluated for the presence of Osteochondrosis lesions in the hock and fetlock joints. Horses were then assigned to one of two dietary treatments: the control diet meeting NRC requirements for all known nutrients, and the experimental diet consisting of the control diet supplemented with 50ppm boron. After a feeding period of eight months, the horses were once again weighed and evaluated for bone lesions. After comparing initial and final fluoroscopic scans, evaluation of treatment effect was completed through a logistic regression, assigning each horse a value of 1 (improvement), 0 (no change), or -1 (worsening). Initial fluoroscopy showed that 50% of the study horses had evidence of Osteoschondrosis. Data analysis did not find a significant change in radiographic status. The logistic regression determined that variables such as treatment, sire, and sex had no effect on frequency of radiographic lesions. However, horses receiving supplemental boron did have significantly greater Average Daily Gain than horses on the control diet. In the second study, routine fluoroscopic scans were conducted on 315 yearling horses, by one of 23 sires at the request of their trainers, specifically on the hind limb joints of the hock and fetlock. Radiographic examinations were carried out independent of clinical signs of lameness. Horses were first evaluated for the presence of lesions. When lesions were observed, they were further evaluated based on the requirement for corrective surgery. The radiograph data were statistically analyzed using a logistic regression, assigning "0" or "1" outcome variables to the normal versus abnormal radiographic findings. Logistic regression was also used to analyze whether sire was a significant indicator for corrective surgery, with the attending veterinarian assigning "0" or "1" to lesions not requiring surgery versus lesions requiring surgery. Of the 315 horses examined, 184 (58.41%) were found to have lesions. Of those with reported lesions, 119 (37.77%) were determined to require surgery. It was found that gender did not influence the probability of lesions (p=0.2992). It was also found that sire is not a significant predictor of lesions (p=0.1912). However, sire is a statistically significant indicator of corrective surgery (p=0.0213).
Publications
- Avenatti, R.C., Kline, K.H., Johnson, E.W., Kapraun, P.R. and Walker, K.L. 2008. Effects of feeding 50 ppm elemental boron on radiographic incidence of osteochondrosis in growing standardbreds. Proceedings of the Second Australian Equine Science Symposium. 37-38.
- Kapraun, P.R., Avenatti, R.C. and Kline, K.H. 2008. Influence of sire and gender on fluoroscopic incidence of bony lesions in Illinois standarbred yearlings. Proceedings of the Second Australian Equine Science Society Symposium, 38-39.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The results of this study have been reported at the June 5, 2008 Australian Equine Science Society Symposium and appear in abstract form in the Proceedings of the 2008 Australian Equine Science Society Symposium. PARTICIPANTS: R.C. Avenatti is a graduate student completing his MS degree in the UI Department of Animal Sciences, and was primarily responsible for the data collection and analysis. K.H. Kline, PhD is the project supervisor and advisor to Mr. Avenatti, and is a Professor of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. E.W. Johnson, DVM and P.R. Kapraun, DVM are veterinarians in private practice who assumed the role of oversight of the flouroscopic radiography of horses in this study. Dr. Joseph Lyman, DVM was originally listed to participate in the study, but was unable to fulfill his role due to work conflicts. K.L. Walker, DVM is the owner of the horses and of the breeding farm used in this study and also provided oversight regarding the health and well-being of horses used in this study. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include veterinarians, animal science professionals, and horse owners and breeders who raise and market young performance horses. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The only major modification was that the original veterinarian identified to oversee the process of flouroscopy of horses, Dr. J.T. Lyman, was replaced by Dr. E.W. Johnson and Dr. P.R. Kapraun due to an unavoidable conflict by Dr. Lyman.
Impacts
A total of 121 Standardbred horses between the ages of five and seven months were initially weighed and evaluated for the presence of radiographic lesions in the fetlock, hock, and stifle joints using fluoroscopy. Horses were then assigned to one of two dietary treatments: a control diet and a diet supplemented with 50 ppm boron. After a feeding period of eight months, the horses were once again weighed and evaluated for bone lesions. After comparing initial and final fluoroscopic scans, evaluation of treatment effect was completed through a logistic regression, assigning each horse a value of 1 (improvement), 0 (no change), or -1 (worsening). Initial fluoroscopy showed that 50% of the study horses had one or more radiographic lesions in one or more joints. Final fluoroscopic scans did not find a significant change in radiographic status. The logistic regression determined that diet treatment, sire, and sex had no effect on frequency of radiographic lesions. However, horses receiving supplemental boron had significantly greater (P<0.05) average daily gain than horses on the control diet, suggesting a nutritional benefit.
Publications
- Avenatti, R.C., Kline, K.H., Johnson, E.W., Kapraun, P.R. and Walker, K.L. 2008. Effects of feeding 50 ppm elemental boron on radiographic incidence of osteochondrosis in growing Standardbred horses. Proceedings of the Australian Equine Science Symposium Volume 2, p.37.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Standard bred horses (64 fillies, 58 colts) between 5 and 7 months of age were used to detect lesions of the fetlock, hock and stifle joints. All horses were sired by one of five stallions that resided on the farm. The number of foals per sire represented in this study ranged from 10 - 40. A fluoroscope with an infinite number of real-time viewing angles was used to detect radiographic abnormalities of the joints. All horses were classified as normal or abnormal for the joints examined. The types and locations of all lesions were recorded images of each were printed. The data were statistically analyzed using logistic regression, assigning ″0″ or ″1″ outcome variables to the normal versus abnormal radiographic findings for each horse. The data for changes in radiographic abnormalities of these horses as a function of boron supplemented diets have not yet been collected.
Impacts
Half of the horses (61/122) had at least one lesion and 28% of all weanlings had lesions in more than one joint. Of the horses with lesions, 57% had hock lesions, and 57% had lesions of either the fetlock or pastern. Only 3 foals had lesions of the stifle. Colts and fillies had 55% and 45% abnormalities, respectively. Logistic regression analysis found no effect of foaling date, sex, weight, age or sire (P>.05) on the rate of joint lesions. However, logistic regression of estimated growth rate using weight per day of age (WDA) found significant (P<.05) effects. The 60 foals below the median WDA of 1.38 Kg/day for all foals were assigned the value ″0″ and the 62 foals above the median WDA were assigned the value ″1″. The one-tailed test was significant (P = 0.035) with Exponent(B) = 0.516 and a lower 90% confidence interval (CI) of 0.282 and upper CI of 0.944. These data suggest that, among all foals, the slower growing foals were half as likely
to have lesions as faster growing foals. The 46 foals from two sires that had most of their foals above the median WDA were then evaluated with logistic regression. A value of ″0″ was assigned to the 23 foals with WDA below the median of 1.45 Kg /day determined for those two sires, and ″1″ to the 23 foals with WDA above the median. Values of ″0″ and ″1″ were assigned to normal and abnormal radiographic findings, respectively. The one-tailed test was significant (P = 0.007), with Exponent(B) = 0.164 and lower 90% CI of 0.048 and upper CI of 0.559. Twenty of the faster growing foals in this group (87%) had lesions. These data suggest that, among the offspring of sires that produced faster growing foals, those that grew above the median growth rate for those sires were about six times as likely to have joint lesions. These preliminary data have confirmed that bone and cartilage lesions of growing horses is a significant problem, and that
faster growing horses are more likely to have these lesions. Furthermore, we have found that these lesions occur at a much younger age than most horse producers have previously thought. The additional data from the boron supplement diet study in horses from 6 to 18 months of age will help horse producers to make more informed decisions regarding feeding practices which may reduce the incidence of osteochondral lesions in young horses.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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