Open AccessMyeloid and Megakaryocytic Hypoplasia in Related Standardbreds
Author(s) -
Kohn Catherine W.,
Swardson Christine,
Provost Patricia,
Gilbert Robert O.,
Couto C. Guillermo
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb01090.x
Subject(s) - medicine , neutropenia , hypoplasia , bone marrow , myeloid , platelet , absolute neutrophil count , congenital neutropenia , horse , progenitor cell , pathology , immunology , biology , stem cell , paleontology , genetics , toxicity
Myeloid and megakaryocytic bone marrow hypoplasia in association with moderate to profound neutropenia was observed in 8 young Standardbred horses sired by the same stallion; 7 horses were intermittently thrombocytopenic. Evaluation of serial neutrophil counts in 2 horses suggested that a cyclic variation in neutrophil numbers was present, that lymphocyte numbers increased when neutrophil counts decreased, and that platelet counts decreased when neutrophil counts decreased. Preliminary bone marrow cultures indicated that myeloid progenitor cells were present and that these cells were able to respond to exogenous growth factors by differentiating. A bone marrow microenvironment or growth factor defect is suspected. Seven of 8 horses died or were euthanized. One horse with moderate neutropenia and a normal platelet count has been racing for 3 years. Necropsies in 4 horses did not reveal a cause for the myeloid hypoplasia. A familial basis for the disease is suspected.