The Effects of Claw Health and Bone Mineral Density on Lameness in Duroc Boars

Abstract

To investigate the effects of claw lesion types and bone mineral density on lameness in boars, the data of claw lesion score, gait score, and bone mineral density, measured by a Miniomin ultrasound bone densitometer, were collected from a total of 739 Duroc boars. Firstly, we discovered that the prevalence of claw lesions was as high as 95.26% in boars. The percentage of lameness of boars with SWE was higher than those with other claw lesions. Meanwhile, the results showed that the probability of lameness was higher in boars with lower bone mineral density (p < 0.05). Logistic regression models, including variables of boar age, body weight, serum mineral level, and housing type, were used to identify the influencing factors of bone mineral density in this study. The results found that bone mineral density increases with age before reaching a maximum value at 43 months of age, and begins to decrease after 43 months of age. Elevated serum Ca levels were significantly associated with an increase in bone mineral density (p < 0.05). Aside from the above findings, we also made an interesting discovery that boars in the individual pen model significantly increased bone mineral density compared to those in the individual stall model. In conclusion, claw lesions and bone mineral density were significantly associated with lameness. Age, serum Ca, and housing type are the potential influencing factors for bone mineral density in boars.