MINERALIZATION OF NORMAL AND OSTEOCHONDROTIC BONE IN SWINE

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Abstract
Bone mineralization of the ulna and femur was studied using 20 market weight boars. On postmortem examination, 17 animals demonstrated osteochondrosis in the distal ulnar metaphysis and/or the distal femoral epiphysis with no apparent lesions in the distal ulnar epiphysis, distal femoral metaphysis or the diaphysis of either bone. Three animals showed no apparent abnormalities in any site of these bones. Lesion areas displaying abnormal ossification in the distal ulnar metaphyses had markedly reduced (P < 0.05) calcium and phosphorus concentrations, however, mineralization appeared to be normal in the apparently normal adjacent areas. Calcium and phosphorus concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in the femur than in the ulna. There was no significant correlation between lesion scores and bone analysis values, between lesion scores and average daily gain, and between average daily gain and bone analysis values.