Measurement of Skin Desmosine as an Indicator of Altered Cutaneous Elastin in Draft Horses With Chronic Progressive Lymphedema

Abstract

Chronic progressive lymphedema in draft horses was associated with an initially systemic lower cutaneous elastin level and a deposition of elastin during the progression of the disease. A failure of elastic fibers to appropriately support the skin and its lymphatics is proposed as a possible contributing factor for chronic progressive lymphedema in Shires and Clydesdales.