Bone turnover markers in sheep and goat: A review of the scientific literature.

José A Camassa,Isabel R Dias,Cristina P Sousa,Nuno Dourado,Camila C Diogo,Carlos A Viegas,Jorge T Azevedo,Rui L Reis

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201720160407

Abstract

Bone turnover markers (BTMs) are product of bone cell activity and are generally divided in bone formation and bone resorption markers. The purpose of this review was to structure the available information on the use of BTMs in studies on small ruminants, especially for monitoring their variations related to diet, exercise, gestation and metabolic lactation state, circadian and seasonal variations, and also during skeletal growth. Pre-clinical and translational studies using BTMs with sheep and goats as animal models in orthopaedic research studies to help in the evaluation of the fracture healing process and osteoporosis research are also described in this review. The available information from the reviewed studies was systematically organized in order to highlight the most promising BTMs in small ruminant research, as well as provide a wide view of the use of sheep and goat as animal models in orthopaedic research, type of markers and commercial assay kits with cross-reactivity in sheep and goat, method of sample and storage of serum and urine for bone turnover markers determination and the usefulness and limitations of bone turnover markers in the different studies, therefore an effective tool for researchers that seek answers to different questions while using BTMs in small ruminants.

Highlights

In the last decades, small ruminants - sheep and goats - have been widely accepted as animal mod-The suitability of small ruminants as animal models for orthopaedic research results mainly from having the most similar body weight and long bones with dimensions compatible with application of implants and prostheses developed for humans (Newman et al 1995, Anderson et al 1999, van der Donk et al 2001)
Despite these macro- and micro-structural differences in bone tissue, studies with small ruminants used as animal models in orthopaedic research have increased considerably (Pearce et al 2007), and more recently they have been used for studying bone turnover markers (BTMs) (Sousa et al 2014a)
The proteins produced during bone turnover are detectable mainly in serum in bone formation markers, whereas many of the bone resorption markers are detectable in both serum and urine (Allen 2003), and there are a significant number of commercial kits developed for use in humans that have cross-reactivity with other species, including sheep and goats (Tables I to III)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Small ruminants - sheep and goats - have been widely accepted as animal mod-. Sheep presents a trabecular bone density, mineralization and subsequently elevated strength relative to humans, that are variable according to skeletal location (Nafei et al 2000, Liebschner 2004), the bone mineral composition being apparently similar between small ruminants and humans (Ravaglioli et al 1996) Despite these macro- and micro-structural differences in bone tissue, studies with small ruminants used as animal models in orthopaedic research have increased considerably (Pearce et al 2007), and more recently they have been used for studying bone turnover markers (BTMs) (Sousa et al 2014a). It is used in human medicine to help evaluate fracture risk, delayed fracture healing and consolidation process, and development of metabolic bone diseases (Vasikaran et al 2011) These similarities in biochemistry, biomechanics, and bone histology make BTMs a resource in sheep and goats for pre-clinical and/or translational orthopaedic research studies and veterinary and animal science studies (Turner 2007b). The proteins produced during bone turnover are detectable mainly in serum in bone formation markers, whereas many of the bone resorption markers are detectable in both serum and urine (Allen 2003), and there are a significant number of commercial kits developed for use in humans that have cross-reactivity with other species, including sheep and goats (Tables I to III)

Method of analysis

CONCLUSIONS