Abstract
a b s t r a c t
Osteochondrosis (OC) is a disturbance of the process of endochondral ossification during skeletal
growth. Osteochondrosis is considered the main reason for leg weakness in pigs, which is
the second reason for culling in sows, after fertility problems. Previous studies suggest there is
a relationship between OC and growth. However, little is known about this relationship, in particular
about the timeframe in which growth influences ossification. The aim of the study was
to identify the age at which growth and OC are related, and whether this relationship differs
between joints. To understand the relationship between the growth pattern and the onset of
OC, repeated body weight (BW) measurements and OC scores of 345 pigs were collected. An
average of 17 body weight measurements from birth until slaughter at 6 months of age was
used. OC was scored macroscopically after slaughter in 24 locations of five joints. Pigs were divided
in three defined groups based on the severity of OC; no OC, minor, or severe OC.
Until weaning at day 21 no differences in weight and gain were found between the three defined
groups. From weaning onwards, pigs diagnosed with minor or severe OC showed higher
BWs than pigs diagnosed without OC. The higher weights were due to increased growth before
the age of threemonths. This period might coincide with the window of susceptibility for OC in
pigs. The relationship with growth seems to be joint-dependent. Pigs with OC in the elbow
joints or with OC in two joints had high BWs, whereas pigs with OC in the femoropatellar joints
had low BWs compared to mean BW. Determination of the window of susceptibility and of the
relationship between weight gain and OC may help in developing strategies to reduce OC in
pig populations.
© 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 85-90 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Livestock Science |
Volume | 143 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Bibliographical note
Article history:Received 18 October 2010
Received in revised form 26 August 2011
Accepted 1 September 2011