Evaluation of a bone biopsy technique for determining the calcium and phosphorus status of swine from weaning to market weight.

N. R. Combs, E. T. Kornegay, M. D. Lindemann, D. R. Notter, F. H. Welker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tibia biopsies were taken from 75 live pigs at 4-wk intervals and from 251 slaughtered pigs to evaluate bone biopsy as a procedure for determining Ca/P status in pigs fed 70, 85, 100, 115 and 130% of the NRC (1979) estimated dietary Ca and P percentage requirements from weaning to market. Least squares means and SE of live and slaughter biopsy wet weight, ash weight and dry, fat-free ash percentage (DFF%) were compared at each time in each trial and found not to differ. Diet and time effects on ash weight, ash percentage of wet weight and DFF% of the biopsy core also did not differ greatly between slaughter and live biopsies and generally responded linearly and quadratically (P less than .01) to increasing Ca/P level and time. Biopsy measures were correlated (P less than .05) with third and fourth metacarpal and metatarsal length, bending and shear stress and DFF%. Means for slaughter biopsy DFF% did not differ greatly from the average of third and fourth metacarpal and metatarsal DFF% from slaughter pigs. Means for live and slaughter biopsy DFF% were lower than those for whole bones for the 70 and 85% NRC estimated Ca/P levels, but not for the 100, 115 and 130% NRC levels. Bone biopsy offers potential as a reliable noninvasive procedure for monitoring Ca/P status of swine from weaning to market, but it needs further study for use in Ca/P research in swine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)664-672
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Animal Science
Volume69
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Genetics

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