Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
07:23
Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification
Published on: December 3, 2016
Pathogenesis of epiphyseal osteochondrosis
Sheila Laverty1, Christiane Girard
1Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sheila.laverty@umontreal.ca
Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997)
|May 8, 2013
Summary
Osteochondrosis (OC) is a developmental disease affecting young animals, characterized by cartilage death and growth issues. Altered type II collagen metabolism is a suspected factor, requiring further research in susceptible animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Osteochondrosis (OC) is a developmental disease of the articular epiphyseal cartilage complex (AECC) in young animals.
- It involves focal chondronecrosis and impaired endochondral ossification, potentially leading to osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).
- Existing hypotheses include ischemia of growth cartilage or altered type II collagen metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiopathogenesis of Osteochondrosis (OC) in the articular epiphyseal cartilage complex (AECC).
- To explore the roles of growth cartilage ischemia and type II collagen metabolism in OC development.
- To identify the precise cause of vascular necrosis and the significance of type II collagen in OC.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing hypotheses on OC etiopathogenesis.
- Analysis of studies measuring biomarkers in serum and synovial fluid.
- Speculation on the role of altered type II collagen metabolism based on biomarker data.
Main Results:
- Studies show increased type II collagen synthesis in young animals with OC.
- No comparable increase in cartilage matrix proteoglycan synthesis was observed.
- These findings suggest a potential role for altered type II collagen metabolism in early OC changes.
Conclusions:
- Altered type II collagen metabolism is speculated to be involved in the early stages of Osteochondrosis (OC).
- Further research on OC-susceptible animals in utero and early life is needed.
- Elucidating the cause of vascular necrosis and the exact role of type II collagen is crucial for understanding OC.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Chondrocytes form a temporary cartilaginous model by dividing and secreting a thick gel-like extracellular matrix. Once the chondrocytes undergo programmed cell death, osteoblasts enter the site of the cartilaginous model. The process of replacing the temporary cartilaginous model with bone in an ordered manner is called endochondral ossification. In endochondral ossification, not all of the cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. Some cartilage that performs a protective and supportive function...
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:07Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
Joints form during embryonic development in conjunction with the formation and growth of the associated bones. The embryonic tissue that gives rise to all bones, cartilage, and connective tissues of the body is called mesenchyme.
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...