Cartilage canals in equine articular/epiphyseal growth cartilage and a possible association with dyschondroplasia

Abstract

Cartilage canals have been described in most mammals and contain the vascular elements necessary for the maintenance of epiphyseal growth cartilage. The presence and longevity of cartilage canals in developing articular/epiphyseal cartilage of horses is described for the first time. Growth cartilages from 30 normal horses (from 130 days gestation to age 2 years) and 6 cases of dyschondroplasia (age 6 months. Cartilage canals were associated with retained cartilage of dyschondroplastic lesions found in animals age <15 months. The presence of cartilage canals in association with dyschondroplastic lesions suggests they may have a role in the pathogenesis of this important disease.