Serum concentrations of procollagen type III aminoterminal peptide in growing dogs with hip dysplasia.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of procollagen type III aminoterminal peptide (PIIINP) measurements in serum as an indicator of progress of fibrosis of coxofemoral joint capsules in hip dysplasia in immature dogs. High serum concentrations of PIIINP may indicate ongoing fibrosis with enhanced synthesis and deposition of fibrillar type III collagen, or an alteration in degradation and elimination of circulating PIIINP (Horslev-Petersen et al. 1988a). Therefore, high concentrations of PIIINP in serum was expected in dogs with hip dysplasia, which is a developmental condition with capsular fibrosis and osteoarthritis (Gay et al. 1986).