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Research article2004Peer reviewed

Vascularisation and osteochondrosis of the epiphyseal growth cartilage of the distal femur in pigs - development with age, growth rate, weight and joint shape

Ytrehus, B; Carlson, CS; Lundeheim, N; Mathisen, L; Reinholt, FP; Teige, J; Ekman, S

Abstract

Until recently, the cartilage canals of the epiphyseal growth cartilage have not been associated with any specific disease. However, data support the hypothesis that osteochondrosis could be related to inadequate blood supply from vessels in these channels. We have done a study to investigate the relationship between the regression of cartilage canals and the formation of osteochondrosis latens in the epiphyseal growth cartilage of the distal femur in pigs, and the relationship between these events and age, growth rate, weight and femoral shape of the individual animals. This involved, in part, a comprehensive study of the distribution and pattern of regression of the cartilage canals. We found that the regression is a highly predictable process that follows an age-dependent pattern. However, we failed to prove any association between overall vascular regression and osteochondrosis, between vascular regression and weight, growth rate or femoral shape or between osteochondrosis and weight, growth rate or femoral shape. This may indicate that osteochondrosis latens is not caused by a general failure of vascular supply or general factors such as growth rate, but rather a consequence of local conditions affecting a limited number of vessels. A factor fitting this description is local compression. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Published in

BONE
2004, volume: 34, number: 3, pages: 454-465
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2003.07.011

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/3803