The effect of parentage on the prevalence, severity and location of lesions of osteochondrosis in swine.

The aims of this study were to determine the effects of parentage and gender on the prevalence, severity and location of lesions of osteochondrosis manifesta (OCM) and osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in offspring from different Norwegian Landrace boars and to examine the relationships between lesion characteristics and selected growth parameters. Fifteen sires were selected based on their high breeding value for osteochondrosis. Seven locations in the distal humerus and the distal femur from 1680 offspring of these animals were evaluated for severity of OCM and presence of OCD by gross examination of serially sectioned humeri and femora. Osteochondrosis manifesta was most prevalent in the trochlea of humerus, the sagittal ridge of humerus, the medial condyle of femur and the medial sulcus obliquus of femur. The severity of the lesions and the prevalence of OCD were highest in the trochlea and the sagittal ridge of humerus. Castrates had significantly higher OCM scores than sows. There were significant effects of both sire and dam on the OCM scores of the offspring in most locations; however, growth rate and weight at slaughter did not influence the OCM score.

Osteochondrosis and arthrosis in Norwegian slaughter-pigs in 1980 compared to 1970.

The incidence of high degree lesions ("open" osteochondrosis/arthrosis) in the stifle joint of norwegian slaughter-pigs has decreased from 6.7% in 1970 to 1.5% in 1980. The most probable main reason for this seems to be a selection for functionally better exterior conformation of the back and hind legs of breeding animals. The incidence of low degree lesions has been increasing, so the incidence of normal joints are slightly decreasing. One has to have a mind that the etiology of leg weakness and of osteochondrosis are complex, and that one should known the special problems of the breed in question before proposing preventive initiatives.

[Effect of megadose vitamin C on osteochondrosis in pigs (author's transl)]. / Effekt av store doser vitamin C på osteochondrose hos gris.

Two experiments with daily supplementation of from 1 g vitamin C pr. pig at 10-12 kg live weight, gradually increased to about 8 g at 100 kg live weight, are described. Experiment I consisted of 9 pigs supplemented with vitamin C on the food once a day, and 9 pigs used as control group. Experiment II consisted of 2 litters, each of 10 pigs. Five pigs from each litter were given vitamin C supplement intramuscularly once a week until 6 weeks of age, thereafter on the food once a day, and the other 5 were used as control group. Incidence and degree of lesions in the elbow joint, in the distal epiphyseal plate of ulna and in the medial condyle of femur were examined after slaughtering. There was no statistically significant difference in incidence or degree of lesions between the comparable groups. However, in experiment I there was a tendency toward less severity of lesions among pigs getting vitamin C (Table I). groups were slaughtered at the same age. The mean slaughter weight was 5.2 kg higher for the pigs which had gotten vitamin C. The difference was not statistically significant.

Arthrosis in the elbow joint of young rapidly growing dogs. V. A pathoanatomical investigation.

During a 3 year period the elbow joints of dogs subjected to autopsy were specially subjected to autopsy were specially investigated regarding the lesions A Ununited or fragmented coronoid process, B Fissure of the coronoid process, C Osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral condyle, and D Ununited anconeal process. Other findings as erosions, wear and tear furrows and degree of osteophyte formation at different locations, are described. The lesions A, B, C and D were seen in 120 dogs and the Rottweilers, the Retriever breeds and the German Shepherd Dogs were most disposed although lesions of the coronoid process were seen in dogs of different size as in a Miniature Poodle and a Pomeranian. Fragmented coronoid process was the lesion most frequently seen among the affected breeds. Fissure of the coronoid process was most frequently seen among Rottweilers while osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral condyle was a frequent finding among Golden Retrievers. Ununited anconeal process was only seen in 7 of the 236 joints investigated. This lesion was the one leading to the highest degree of osteophyte formation. Next to this were fragmented coronoid process and osteochondritis dissecans, while fissure of the coronoid process led to a small degree of osteophyte formation. Histopathological investigation of the coronoid process revealed that fissure and fracture lines occurred in joints in which no degeneration of the joint cartilage was detected, as well as in joints in which thickened and degenerated hyalin cartilage (osteochondrosis) was seen. The authors conclude that fissures seem to be an early stage of fragmentation, but do not necessarily lead to fracture. The condition may be due to osteochondrosis, to general or local overloading of normal tissue or to generalized weakness of the joint cartilage and the bone in combination with mechanical overloading. The term fragmentation of the coronoid process, as proposed by Olsson in 1976, is a more appropriate term for the condition than the previously used ununited coronoid process.