A rare heart bone is discovered in chimpanzees

Date:
June 10, 2020
Source:
University of Nottingham
Summary:
Experts have discovered that some chimpanzees have a bone in
their heart, which could be vital in managing their health and
conservation.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Experts from the University of Nottingham have discovered that some
chimpanzees have a bone in their heart, which could be vital in managing
their health and conservation.


==========================================================================
Very few species of animals have this bone -- called an os cordis --
therefore this is a particularly rare find.

The exciting research, which was carried out by experts from the
University's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, is published
today in Scientific Reports.

Wild chimpanzees are endangered and cardiovascular disease is very common
in this species. Understanding their hearts is vital in making medical
advances and managing their health and conservation.

The tiny 'os cordis' heart bones, measuring a few millimetres in size,
were more likely to be present in chimps with idiopathic myocardial
fibrosis -- a type of heart disease found in chimps and people. Myocardial fibrosis is the most common type of heart disease in chimpanzees and
has been linked to the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death.

"The discovery of a new bone in a new species is a rare event, especially
in chimps which have such similar anatomy to people. It raises the
question as to whether some people could have an os cordis too,' said
lead author Dr Catrin Rutland from the University.

This astonishing new find was made possible using several techniques
including an advanced imaging method called micro-computed
tomography. This enabled the hearts to be scanned at much higher
magnifications than standard hospital or veterinary CT scans.

"Looking for ways to help chimps with heart disease is
essential. Understanding what is happening to their hearts helps us
manage their health" Said Dr Sophie Moittie', from the University.

The heart bone is present in many bovines (cattle, ox and buffalo), and is often quite large, butchers even remove it some that meat can be used for soups. Sheep, otters, dogs and camels sometimes have the heart bone too.

Sometimes the os cordis is present in most animals of a species but in
other cases it is associated with heart disease.

The function of an os cordis is still being researched, but this work
shows that cartilage was present in addition to bone, which gives insight
into the mechanisms via which bone growth started. The scientists also
showed that the heart bone was present in male and female chimps of
differing ages.

Many suggestions have been given for the reasons behind an os cordis developing. The bone may support the essential heart valves, develop
due to heart disease or even alter the electrical system which controls
the heart.

"This research has brought together researchers and veterinary
professionals, working on a common aim to advance chimpanzee health and conservation," adds Dr Rutland.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Nottingham. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Sophie Moittie', Kerstin Baiker, Victoria Strong, Emma Cousins, Kate
White, Ma'tya's Liptovszky, Sharon Redrobe, Aziza Alibhai, Craig J.

Sturrock, Catrin Sian Rutland. Discovery of os cordis in the cardiac
skeleton of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Scientific Reports,
2020; 10 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66345-7 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200610094045.htm

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