Osteochondrosis (Oc)/Dyschondroplasia in Slow Growing Landrace Pigs Raised Under Low Plane Nutrition

Abstract

Osteochondrotic lesions were demonstrated in the Articular-epiphyseal (A­ E) cartilage complexes and in the physeal cartilage in Landrace pigs raised inTanzania. These pigs were slow growing compared to the ones raised in commercial farms in industrial countries, probably due to nutritional factors; they were attaining slaughter weight 70-90kg between 8 to10 months of age. A radiologic and macroscopic study of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in the A-E complex and growth plates (physes) was done in 160 Landrace slaughter pigs in Tanzania. The study was of one year period (February 1994 to January 1995). Radiological OC lesions were scored within five grades (1-5) with increasing severity. The elbow, carpus, stifle and tarsal joint bone were scrutinized for OC lesions presence. It was observed that only a few pigs had gross or radiologic OC lesions.   In general 123 (77%) had no radiologic or macroscopic dyschondroplastic lesions. Twenty five (16%) had mild lesions and Twelve (7%) had moderate­ ly severe lesions. No pig lesion was scored above grade 3. The general trend revealed that OC lesions were not severe and were low in frequency, (23% of the 160 pigs had lesions either radiologically and/or macroscopically). Also the A-E complex OC was less frequent than the physeal type.  Humeral condyle was more frequent (5%) than the femoral condyle oc (3%). The distal ulna physeal OC was the most severe (6.3%) and had a highest frequency (19%) than that in other phases. The proximal ulna and anconeal process had marked synovial fossae. Also the presence of growth arrest lines was a prominent radiographic feature in most of the animals