Trabecular bone of precocials at birth; Are they prepared to run for the wolf(f)?

Abstract

Bone is a dynamic tissue adapting to loading according to “Wolff's law of bone adaptation.” During very early life, however, such a mechanism may not be adequate enough to adapt to the dramatic change in environmental challenges in precocial species. Their neonates are required to stand and walk within hours after birth, in contrast to altricial animals that have much more time to adapt from the intrauterine environment to the outside world. In this study, trabecular bone parameters of the talus and sagittal ridge of the tibia from stillborn but full‐term precocials (calves and foals) were analyzed by micro‐CT imaging in order to identify possible anticipatory mechanisms to loading. Calculated average bone volume fraction in the Shetland pony (49–74%) was significantly higher compared to Warmblood foals (28–51%). Bovine trabecular bone was characterized by a low average bone volume fraction (22–28%), however, more directional anisotropy was found. It is concluded that anticipatory strategies in skeletal development exist in precocial species, which differ per species and are most likely related to anatomical differences in joint geometry and related loading patterns. The underlying regulatory mechanisms are still unknown, but they may be based on a genetic blueprint for the development of bone. More knowledge, both about a possible blueprint and its regulation, will be helpful in understanding developmental bone and joint diseases. J. Morphol. 277:948–956, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Trabecular and subchondral bone development of the talus and distal tibia from foal to adult in the warmblood horse

“…Trabecular bone was quantitatively determined in manually drawn volumes of interest (VOIs) only including trabecular bone. Selected VOIs were in line with previous work (Gorissen et al, 2016). The tibial VOI contained the trabecular bone of the dorsal 25% of the sagittal ridge.…”

“…However, precocial animals need to stand and outrun predators within hours after birth. To withstand the forces associated with this, foetal bone development has shown to be anticipative, reflecting future rather than past function, both in calves and foals (Gorissen et al, 2016). This phenomenon, which is possibly based on a genetic blueprint, seems general as it has been described in several other precocial species (Skedros et al, 2004; and even in altricial man (Cunningham & Black, 2009).…”

“…warmbloods were also included. The micro-CT data of the 5 neonatal foals have been used as well in a previous study on early skeletal development (Gorissen et al, 2016).…”

“…Sample preparation and micro-CT imaging were carried out as described previously (Gorissen et al, 2016). In short, tarsal joints were collected within two hours after death and stored cooled (4 °C) if processing could be done within 12 hours, or frozen (-18 °C) when this took longer.…”

Underlying Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Applications of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Bone Repair

“…In 1892, Wolf indicated that mechanical stress determines bone growth and remodeling [10]. In 1953, Yasuda revealed that bending the long tubular bone is related with the development of electric currents and this instance is defined as piezoelectric phenomenon [11].…”