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Restricted Energy Intake and Elevated Calcium and Phosphorus Intake for Gilts during Growth. IV. Characterization of Metacarpal, Metatarsal, Femur, Humerus and Turbinate Bones of Sows during Three Parities¹

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

Abstract

The effect of early nutrition on subsequent bone development was studied using gilts that had previously been fed ad libitum or 75% ad libitum intake and 100 or 150% National Research Council-recommended daily Ca and P from weaning to 100 kg. During the three-parity reproductive study, sows were fed a 14% protein diet. Metacarpals and metatarsals were taken from sows culled due to lameness or failure to breed and from sows after completing three parities. Femur and humerus articular cartilage and turbinates were described at necropsy. Metacarpals and metatarsals were heavier and tended to have thicker walls when sows were previously fed ad libitum or fed 150% Ca and P. Energy intake produced the greater response. Metacarpal breaking strength was greatest for sows previously fed ad libitum. Metatarsals were not affected by energy intake. Stiffness, Young's modulus of elasticity (YME) and flexural modulus for metacarpals and metatarsals were not affected by energy intake. Previously fed Ca and P intakes did not affect any of the mechanical bone characteristics. Metacarpals were heavier, had a greater breaking strength, were more elastic and exhibited slightly less resistance to bending than the metatarsals. The ether extract, ash, Ca and P content and the Ca:P ratio of metacarpals and metatarsals were not affected by previously fed energy or Ca and P intakes. The ether extract content tended to decrease and the ash, Ca and P content tended to increase with age. Articular cartilage and turbinate scores were not influenced by previously fed energy or Ca and P intakes. The YME and flexural modulus were the only bone characteristics that were even poorly correlated (average r=.25) with soundness scores, suggesting that high values result in poorer soundness scores. Energy and Ca and P intakes during growth and development had only minimal effects on bone characteristics and no apparent effect on structural soundness and longevity of sows kept for three parities.

¹ Appreciation is expressed to the John Lee Pratt Animal Nutrition Program for financial support; to Borden Chemical Co., Norfolk, VA, Agricultural Processing, Salem, VA, and Calcium Carbonate, Quincy, IL, for ingredients; to Charlie Babb, Carl Eure and Paul Boone for caring for the animals and to Cindy Eaton for typing the manuscript.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci.

³ Tidewater Research and Continuing Education Center.

⁴ Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Vet. Med.

⁵ Dept. of Agr. Eng.