Abundant osteoclasts in the subchondral bone of the juvenile Thoroughbred metacarpus suggest an important role in joint maturation

BACKGROUND: The administration of bisphosphonate medications, which target osteoclastic‐bone remodelling, to juvenile and adult racehorses is a matter of debate owing to concerns that these molecules remain bound to the bone‐mineralised matrix and may interfere with subsequent bone growth, adaptation to exercise and healing of bone microdamage in equine athletes. Osteoclasts participate in endochondral ossification, subchondral bone remodelling and bone repair. There is a knowledge gap on the role of equine osteoclast biology in the growth and maturation of joint surfaces and this information is important to inform judicious bisphosphonate use. OBJECTIVES: Measure and compare the osteoclast density in the subchondral bone of Thoroughbred (TB) distal third metacarpi (McIII) at different sites, varying depths from the articular surface and with age (0‐84 months). STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo cadaveric study. METHODS: McIIIs from foals, yearlings and adults were collected, fixed in formaldehyde and stored at 4°C. Sections were cut from the lateral hemi‐metacarpus, stained and scored for cartilage degeneration. Osteoclasts were counted on immunohistochemically (Cathepsin K) stained sections. Osteoclast density was compared in regions of interest (ROIs—the sagittal ridge, axial and abaxial condyle) and also at two depths (0‐3 mm and 3‐6 mm) into the subchondral bone below the osteochondral junction. RESULTS: The osteoclast density was consistently highest in the subchondral cortical bone plate (0‐3 mm) when compared with the deeper trabecular bone in all age groups. Furthermore, the osteoclast density was significantly higher in juvenile Thoroughbreds (foals and yearlings) within both sites in the subchondral bone when compared with adults. MAIN LIMITATIONS: The number of specimens available for study was restricted. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoclasts are important in normal McIII epiphyseal and articular surface maturation and have a propensity to localise at the osteochondral junction and subchondral cortical bone plate zone in juvenile Thoroughbreds.