A Comparison of Morphometric Indices, Mineralization Level of Long Bones and Selected Blood Parameters in Hens of Three Breeds

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare morphometric indices and the mineralization level of humerus, femur and tibia in Leghorn (H-22), Sussex (S-66) and Rhode Island Red (R-11) hens at different age (weeks 6., 16., 45. and 64.), as well as some blood parameters. The material for the experiment was one-day old chicks of breeds: Leghorn (H-22), Sussex (S-66) and Rhode Island Red –RIR (R-11), which were separated into three groups. At 6, 16, 45 and 64 weeks of the study, 10 birds selected from each group were weighed, slaughtered, and their right femurs, tibiae and humeri were dissected. After removing soft tissues, the bones were weighed and measured for length, diameter, and the Seedor index (SI) was calculated. The bones were analysed for the content of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and crude ash (CA). At 64 weeks, blood was collected from the hens and analysed for the concentration of Ca, P, pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline. The study showed that hen breed had an effect mostly on morphometric indices of the bones such as bone weight and diameter, and the Seedor index (SI), while the age of birds had an effect on the bone mineralization level up to 45 weeks of age. The bone mineralization did not decrease in the studied breeds of hens at the end of the laying period. It was also found that heavier birds (RIR) had greater diameter bones and a higher SI, but the content of ash and minerals in the bones of that breed was generally similar to the Leghorn and Sussex hens. RIR hens exhibited higher phosphorus plasma concentration compared to Sussex hens. This may suggest that RIR birds have a slightly stronger bone system compared to Leghorn and Sussex hens.

Assessing Bone Health Status and Eggshell Quality of Laying Hens at the End of a Production Cycle in Response to Inclusion of a Hybrid Rye to a Wheat–Corn Diet

“…This once again confirms the anti-osteoporotic action of xylanase. Enzyme inclusion also increased the Ca:P ratio, but all obtained values were within the normal range of values reported for layers at this age [60]. Similar to the improvements in eggshell mineralization, the increased bone mineral content observed in the current study may be due to improved absorption of minerals from the intestine, as a result of the lowered chyme viscosity after xylanase supplementation [48].…”

The role of hen body weight and diet nutrient density in an extended laying cycle

“…As observed at 70 WOA ( Muir et al, 2022b ) and by Skomorucha and Sosnowka-Czajka (2021) , at 90 WOA femur weight, and femur weight to length ratio, as an assessment of bone density, were higher in HW compared to LW hens. Concurrently the femur bone of HW hens was also longer and wider than in LW hens, with similar trends observed in the tibia by Kolakshyapati et al (2019) .…”

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

“…Pigs, like many other livestock intended for extensive production systems, are genetically selected to achieve greater weight gain; however, some species are predisposed to bone development disorders, especially under commercially intensive production systems [ 44 ]. 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 ].…”

“…Prior to the analysis, bones were thawed at room temperature for 6 h. Bone density was assessed by determining whole bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) using the DXA method (Norland XR 43 densitometer, Norland, Fort Atkinson, WI, USA) and calculating the Seedor index by dividing the weight of the left femur by its length [ 23 ]. To evaluate the mechanical properties of bone mid-diaphysis, a 3-point bending test was performed using a universal testing machine (Zwick Z010, Zwick, Ulm, Germany).…”