Nutritional Osteodystrophy Research Articles

Effectiveness of the use of complex biological and mineral compounds in alimentary osteodystrophy of lactating cows

According to the data of Samara Veterinary Laboratory, in serum of cattle in 40.7 % of studied samples the calcium indicators have low values while increasing the level of inorganic phosphorus by 18.2 %, which indicates a significant prevalence and severe form of nutritional osteodystrophy in animals of the examined farms. The therapeutic use of a protein-mineral additive based on yeast autolysate, fodder bentonite, mono calcium phosphate and chalk in the general complex of therapeutic measures for alimentary osteodystrophy of lactating cows stimulates mineral metabolism, normalizing the calcium-phosphorus ratio, and has a positive effect on the milk productivity, increasing milk yield by 41.9 %. The preparation helps to stimulate hemoand erythropoiesis and has an anti-toxic effect on liver. The use of the additive allows increasing the economic efficiency of milk productivity during alimentary osteodystrophy of cows by 11.2 %.

Evaluation of promising biochemical markers of nutritional osteodystrophy in goats

Fibrous osteodystrophy (FO), a metabolic bone disorder, has been reported in different animal species with variable susceptibility. Albeit, it is commonly reported in horses, the clinical disease is also recorded globally in goats. Diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy is mainly based on various clinical examination methods including biochemical alterations which can be adopted as routine diagnostic method. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate calcium: phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as biochemical diagnostic markers in goats diagnosed for fibrous osteodystrophy by clinical and radiological examinations. Blood samples were obtained from 11 goats diagnosed to have clinical fibrous osteodystrophy and 10 healthy goats, and used for harvesting serum. Goats with fibrous osteodystrophy revealed markedly elevated serum phosphorus level and ALP activity, and lowered calcium level in comparison to healthy goats. Remarkably lower serum Ca:P ratio was also observed in diseased goats. Radiological examination of skull of diseased goats revealed radio-lucent areas on the mandible as well as the upper jaw. In conclusion, marked reduction in Ca:P ratio and elevation in ALP activity could be promising biochemical diagnostic marker of fibrous osteodystrophy in goats.

Влияние кормового бентонита на морфобиохимические показатели крови и продуктивность коров с алиментарной остеодистрофией и анемией

Влияние кормового бентонита на морфобиохимические показатели крови и продуктивность коров с алиментарной остеодистрофией и анемией

Етіологія та клініко-біохімічні показники крові за аліментарної остеодистрофії корів

Established etiological factors of nutritional osteodystrophy cows LLC Danylo Galician Yavoriv district, Lviv region. A clinical study on nutritional osteodystrophy cows. A decrease in productivity, alotriophagy, strained course, lameness, thickening and tenderness of the joints, softening of the caudal vertebrae, in severe cases – the formation of animals have been established. The fatness of most animals was below average, hypotension and atony of the predniegens were observed, body temperature was within the norm. In 50% of cows pallor of the mucous membranes was noted, in 10 cows – tachypnea (47.0 ± 0.45) and tachycardia (110.0 ± 3.65). In 10% of the cows, the thorax was pulled up, and the vertebral trunk – curved upwards. In 5 cows, fluctuations of the teeth were noted. Analyzing the diet of feeding cows, a shortage of phosphorus (10–15 g), cobalt (4–5 mg), zinc (27–110 mg), iodine (5–6 mg), sugar (120–180 g), copper (24–26 mg), carotene content (20–30 mg), excess calcium (14–28 g), iron (1400–2200 mg), manganese (210–360 mg). In the blood of experimental cows, the level of hemoglobin was reduced (by 10.6%), the number of erythrocytes (18.8%) in comparison with the animals in the control group. Leukoformula in cows was characterized by a decrease in the number of basophils (9%), eosinophils (47.6%), stabnoid (82.3%) and segmented (4%) neutrophils, monocytes (13.3%) and an increase in lymphocyte count (11% ). In the blood serum of the experienced, a decrease in the total protein content (7.2%), total calcium (26.3%), carotene (22.8%) and cobalt (58.8%) was established.

Field Recovery and Analysis of Horse Skeletal Remains

In response to a request from an insurance company investigating a claim relative to the death of four race and show horses, allegedly as a result of deliberate starvation, physical anthropologists of the Louisiana State University (LSU) Department of Geography and Anthropology undertook the recovery and analysis of skeletal remains said to be those of the animals. The objectives were to determine the number and kinds of animals represented, their ages, and sexes, and, through morphometric evaluation of bone density at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, whether there was evidence of nutritional osteodystrophy. The skeletons were the remains of four horses. In comparisons of data derived from these skeletons with breeding records for the horses described in the insurance claim, it was established that the skeletons were those of mares, as were the insured animals, and that the relative ages of the four approximated those of the insured horses. The skeletal samples submitted for morphometric evaluation showed no evidence of nutritional osteodystrophy and, thus, provided no support for the contention that death had resulted from starvation. In one horse, the superior aspect of the right ascending ramus of the lower jaw below the coronoid process revealed a gunshot wound; the other skeletons showed no evidence of trauma.

Radiology in tortoises, terrapins and turtles as an aid to diagnosis.

ABSTRACTThe exposure factors, choice of film and screens, positioning of the patient and alterations in beam direction are described as are two types of contrast media for the gastro‐intestinal tract. Methods for the use of dental films and macro‐radiography are also given.Four diseases of chelonians, nutritional osteodystrophy, pneumonia, oedema and a ruptured bladder are described together with the associated radiographs and radiological interpretation.

Nutritional osteodystrophy in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

Captive lizards fed a variety of vegetarian and carnivorous diets frequently develop severe nutritional osteodystrophy. Five hatchling iguanas which were captive for 5 months and fed a diet low in calcium and phosphorus developed clinical signs and lesions typical of nutritional osteodystrophy in captive lizards. They had tetany with severe osteoporosis, pathologic fractures, and cartilaginous diaphyseal enlargements of long bones which either were associated with fractures or with intact bones. Hatchling and juvenile iguanas fed a similar diet low in calcium (0.1%) and phosphorus (0.2%) under experimental conditions developed hypocalcemia, tetany, osteoporosis with but adequate in phosphorus (1.1%) developed progressive hypocalcemia and severe osteopososis with pathologic fractures. Control iguanas fed a diet with adequate calcium (2.7%) and phosphours (1.1%) had well mineralized bones with wide cortices and thick metaphyseal trabeculae. Iguanas fed low calcium experimental diets whether low or adequate in phosphorus developed hypocalcemia with compensatory secondary hyperparathyroidism resulting in severe osteodystrophy similar to that reported in captive lizards.

Fine structural changes of bone cells in experimental nutritional osteodystrophy of green iguanas.

Lizards, especially iguanids and varanids, frequently develop nutritional osteodystrophy in captivity, but its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. Green iguanas fed an experimental diet low in calcium (0.2%) and adequate in phosphorus (1.1%) developed severe osteoporosis characterized by flattened inactive osteoblasts, marked resorption of endosteal bone by large multinucleated osteoclasts, and pronounced resorption of cortical bone by osteocytic osteolysis. Iguanas fed an experimental diet low in both calcium (0.1%) and phosphorus (0.2%) developed osteoporosis with osteomalacia characterized by large active osteoblasts overlying wide osteoid seams, marked osteoclastic resorption of endosteal bone, and large osteocytic lacunae which had a prominent layer of osteoid. Osteocytes in iguanas fed the low calcium diets were small in relation to the size of their lacuanae and contained abundant microtubules, microfilaments and mitochondria but a paucity of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Mean ash content of tibias from iguanas fed the low calcium diets was lower, particularly in iguanas that developed severe oseomalacia, than in iguanas fed the control diet (2.7% calcium, 1.1% phosphorus). The ultrastructural evidence suggesting active bone formation, osteoclastic resorption, and osteocytic osteolysis seen in control iguanas was consistent with that of a young growing animal. The results of this investigation demonstrated that experimental iguanas fed diets low in calcium developed hypocalcemia and compensatory hyperparathyroidism resulting in progressive osteoporosis due to osteoclastic and osteocytic osteolysis.

Ultrastructural evaluation of parathyroid and ultimobranchial glands in iguanas with experimental nutritional osteodystrophy

Iguanas held in captivity frequently develop nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism since nutrient requirements are not known for reptiles. Hatchling and juvenile green iguanas fed experimental diets low in calcium with either low or adequate phosphorus developed hypocalcemia. Coincident with the onset of hypocalcemia in the second experimental month the parathyroid chief cells became hypertrophic and had extensive arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous mitochondria, many prosecretory granules associated with the Golgi apparatus, small secretory granules aligned along the plasma membrane but few large storage granules, suggesting rapid synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone. In contrast, C-cells of ultimobranchial glands accumulated large numbers of storage granules in response to the hypocalcemia. Control iguanas fed a diet adequate in calcium and phosphorus had moderately active parathyroid chief cells and ultimobranchial C-cells often were degranulated. It appeared that the parathyroid glands play a more active role than ultimobranchial C-cells in the pathogenesis of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in lizards.

Ultrastructural Evaluation of Bone, Parathyroid and Ultimobranchial Glands in Lizards with Nutritional Osteodystrophy

Lizards in captivity are commonly afflicted with an osteodystrophy related to dietary imbalances in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Young green iguanas (Iguana iguana) were fed beef heart based diets either low (0.2%) in calcium (experimental group) or adequate (2.7%) in calcium (control group). Both diets were unsupplemented with vitamin D and contained 1.1% P, 82% protein and 14% fat on a dry weight basis. Beginning with the sixth month iguanas of the experimental group developed progressive hypocalcemia (8.0 to 3.2 mg/100 ml plasma) resulting in secondary hyperparathyroidism. Progressive osteoporosis, detected radiographically,with osteomalacia was apparent from the seventh month until termination of the experiment at 9 months.Parathyroid chief cells of iguanas in the experimental group were primarily in the active stage of the secretory cycle. Lamellar and circular aggregations of rough endoplasmic reticulum were extensive and Golgi apparatuses were prominent (Fig. 1). Mitochondria often were displaced peripherally in chief cells by the large arrays of endoplasmic reticulum.

Spondylosis in captive wild animals. A possible relationship with nutritional osteodystrophy

The radiographs of 299 captive primates have been examined and an association demonstrated between nutritional bone disease and the development of spondylosis. There are some indications of a similar tendency among captive carnivores.