Age estimation of Arabian mares by incisors morphometry and dentition changes.

Kaveh Khazaeel,Mahdi Pourmahdi Borujeni,Hamid Pesarakli,Alireza Ghadrdan Mashhadi

doi:10.1007/s11259-021-09865-5

Kaveh Khazaeel, Mahdi Pourmahdi Borujeni + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-021-09865-5

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Abstract

Accurate estimation of a horse's age based on the condition of the tooth status is necessary as a scientific and artistic technique, which has not been performed so far in pure Arabian horses of Khuzestan (southern west of Iran). This study aimed to investigate the age-dependent changes in the morphology and morphometry of the incisors in Arabian mares of Khuzestan to estimate age and to compare the estimated dental age and actual age. In this study, 78 Arabian mares of Khuzestan were examined in several equestrian clubs. Then, images were taken with a digital camera from the vestibular and occlusal surfaces of the lower incisors. Parameters of deciduous and permanent teeth eruption and their number, occlusal surface changes in the lower incisors including appearance and disappearance of the cup, enamel spot, dental star and appearance, and changes of Galvayne's groove in the upper corner incisor were investigated. Comparison of the clinical crown length of incisors in each group showed that first, second and third incisors (I1, I2, and I3) had the maximum to minimum crown length, respectively. The correlation between actual age and clinical crown length was strong in I1 (r = 0.73, p ≤ 0.001), I2 (r = 0.8, p ≤ 0.001), and I3 (r = 0.81, p ≤ 0.001) in the Arabian mares of Khuzestan. The correlation of estimated dental age with actual age in the Arabian mares of Khuzestan was very strong (r = 0.992, p ≤ 0.001). Therefore, the dental age estimation in the Arabian mares of Khuzestan appears to be very close to the actual age of the animal.

Highlights

Horse is a beautiful and magical animal that has dignity, sensitivity and excellent athletic ability
The purpose of study was to investigate the age-dependent changes in morphology and morphometry of the incisors in the Aryan breed includes genuine Iranian (Arabian) mares of Khuzestan in order to age estimation and to compare the estimated dental age with ancestral age
Since it is necessary to accurately estimate the horse's age based on the tooth status as a scientific and artistic technique, which has not been performed so far in the genuine Arabian horses of Khuzestan, and given the interest of horse owners in the accurate estimation of horse's age and its applications, the purpose of this study was to investigate the age-dependent changes in morphology and morphometry of the incisors in the Arabian mares of Khuzestan in order to prepare the age profile of incisors changes and to compare the estimated dental age with ancestral age

Summary

Introduction

Horse is a beautiful and magical animal that has dignity, sensitivity and excellent athletic ability. Morphological analysis of teeth can be used to identify the type of feed consumed or the type of environment in which horses live. Both during the life of the horse and many years after their death, the appearance of the teeth may determine the age, sex and health status of the animal (Luszczynski and Pieszka 2011). The estimation of horse's age based on the appearance and morphology of incisors was first introduced 600 Before Christ (Navin 1882). Since this technique has been employing throughout history. This is probably due to the ease of access to these teeth and their significant changes (Carmalt and Allen 2008)

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