Osteochondrosis and Arthrosis in Pigs

Abstract

Investigations were carried out on 289 slaughter pigs, 56 breeding boars, and 51 breeding sows in a selection experiment started in 1964. The animals belonged to 4th–6th generations. One line has been selected for thin backfat and rapid growth (LBL) and 1 for thick backfat and slow growth (HBL). In addition a control line (GL) not subjected to selection was established in 1967. The pigs were kept as far as possible under identical conditions of housing and feeding, so that differences between lines should be primarily of genetic nature. The skeleton, measured as the length of bones and vertebral column, was statistically significantly smaller (P < 0.01) in HBL than in CL and LBL. The difference between CL and LBL was slight. No essential proportional changes in the skeleton took place. Patho-anatomical findings in the skeleton comprised, in all 3 lines, osteochondrosis, arthrosis, degeneration of the intervertebral discs, spondylosis, and epiphyseal separation. There were a lower incidence and statistically significant (P < 0.01) lower degree of total lesions in joints and bones in HBL, both as regards the slaughter pigs, boars and sows. The fact that the lumbar region of the vertebral column consistently showed the greatest difference in degree and incidence of lesions between the lines, suggests that this becomes the weakest skeletal part in pigs with a rapidly growing skeleton.