Osteoporosis in swine

Abstract

Forty-six pigs presented muscle weakness, hind limb paresis and paralysis, weight loss, lateral recumbency, and death in a clinical course of 7 to 10 days. Two pigs were necropsied and exhibited bone fragility, bone callus formation, and multiple fractures in the limbs, ribs, and vertebrae. Microscopically, there was a diffuse and marked decrease in thickness and number of trabeculae. These were disconnected, with a “free-floating” appearance, while the cortex of the long bones was thinned, with an increase of the cortical porosity by enlargement of Haversian canals and endosteal erosion and decreased osteoblastic activity. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry in liver samples revealed significant zinc overload (>2300ppm) and copper deficiency (<33.1ppm). In this communication, we present the first pathologic description of an outbreak of osteoporosis in pigs, and we also provide a brief review of metabolic bone diseases in pigs.

Effect of Fermented Rapeseed Meal in Feeds for Growing Piglets on Bone Morphological Traits, Mechanical Properties, and Bone Metabolism

“…The bone is a dynamic organ and undergoes two processes, synthesis and resorption, that are kept in balance to maintain normal bone mass necessary for movement and body support, protection of vital organs and general mineral management in the living organism [ 23 , 45 ]. Leg fractures, deformities and bone weakness impair pig welfare and behaviour and are important contributors to economic losses in terms of reduced daily gains and carcass quality [ 17 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Stronger and healthier bones allow for more efficient musculoskeletal performance of the well-supported body.…”

Atraumatic Fractures in Multi-Morbid Older Adults: A Series of Five Cases and Review of Literature

“…Collagen content was significantly higher in the humeri of cows without fractures, while total collagen crosslink content was significantly higher in the humerus of cows with spontaneous fractures, indicating that PEM might be more important than copper deficiency [ 48 ]. Outbreaks of spontaneous fractures due to nutritional osteoporosis with copper deficiency occur in pigs [ 49 ]. A case series of spontaneous fracture syndrome in dairy cows was associated with transient osteoporosis in pregnancy and lactation and other risk factors [ 32 ].…”