The effect of equine recombinant growth hormone on second intention wound healing in horses.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of intramuscular administration of recombinant equine growth hormone on healing of full thickness skin wounds on equine limbs.

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental.

ANIMALS

Nine Standardbred horses.

METHODS

In study 1, standardized full thickness skin wounds (2.5 x 2.5 cm) were made over the dorsomedial aspect of the mid-cannon bone of 1 forelimb and 1 hindlimb in 9 horses. Wounds were bandaged without treatment (control subjects) and videorecorded twice weekly until healed. Then, in study 2, similar wounds were created on the opposite limbs; 6 horses were administered intramuscular recombinant equine growth hormone (10 microg/kg daily for 7 days, then 20 microg/kg daily for 49 days), and 3 horses (control subjects) were administered equivalent volumes of sterile water. Wounds were videorecorded twice weekly until healed. Wound healing variables were measured from the videorecordings using a computer software package and analyzed as a randomized complete block design factorial analysis of variance; significance was set at P <.05.

RESULTS

No differences in the measured variables were detected between wounds in study 1 and the control wounds in study 2. In recombinant equine growth hormone-treated horses, wounds retracted more during treatment and contracted faster after treatment stopped when compared with wounds from untreated horses. No other treatment effects were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Recombinant equine growth hormone seemingly increases wound retraction. After treatment ceases, wound contraction increases.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Intramuscular administration of recombinant equine growth hormone (10 microg/kg daily for 7 days, then 20 microg/kg daily for 49 days) does not appear to have any beneficial clinical effect on healing of equine limb wounds.