Bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide as bone turnover markers in canine bitches

In clinical veterinary practice the measurement of biochemical markers for assessment of bone metabolism is not yet fully established and is only being used for now as a scientifi c method in investigations. The purpose of this research is the better understanding of bone metabolism in dogs and assessing the possible utility of biochemical bone markers in routine clinical veterinary practice. The bone markers selected for this study were: bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin as indicators of bone formation, and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen as marker of bone resorption. The research was conducted on 58 canine bitches of different breeds. The results indicate increased bone turnover in young animals and decreased turnover in old ones since the highest activities of the investigated bone markers were in the youngest group and they then declined with age. However, elevated activity of bone alkaline phosphatase was noted in older bitches, which has not been detected in other animal species or in healthy humans. Higher bone resorption and lower formation were noticed in heavier dogs.