Case Study: Biochemical Markers of Bone Modeling and Remodeling in Juvenile Racehorses at Varying Mineral Intakes

In this study, blood-borne biochemical markers were used to track comparative rates of bone turnover in horses fed differing amounts of Ca, P and Mg. Bone turnover was tracked by serum osteocalcin; bone resorption by the carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP); and bone formation by the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP). Twenty-one long-yearling Quarter Horses were blocked by gender and age, randomly assigned to one of four diets and subjected to 128 d of race training. The study was conducted in 32-d periods, each consisting of 28 d of race training followed by a 4-d fecal and urine collection, or a 4-d rest period. Blood samples were taken weekly during the training period. Serum and plasma samples were analyzed for biochemical markers of bone activity using RIA procedures. Onset of training resulted in elevated blood concentrations of ICTP, PICP and osteocalcin. Concentrations of ICTP and PICP were greater during the first 64 d of training, indicating increased bone activity during the first half of the training period. Horses with the greatest intake of minerals exhibited greater concentrations of PICP (bone formation marker) and lesser concentrations of ICTP (bone breakdown marker). Further, ICTP, PICP and osteocalcin concentrations decreased dramatically following 4-d of confinement and relative inactivity. Therefore it appears that feeding minerals at levels greater than current NRC recommendations provided a protective effect on the developing skeleton of the young racehorse. Additionally, the biochemical markers used in this study were sensitive enough to track daily changes in bone activity resulting from daily changes in stress to the skeleton. bone remodeling markers minerals