title: Applicability of some of the assumptions used to estimate the weight of the skeleton in the growing pig and beagle.
abstract: Assumptions used in indirectly estimating skeletal weight were tested on 55 pigs (ages day 0-week 12) and 42 beagles (ages day 0-1 year). One of the assumptions was that skeletal weight constitutes a constant proportion of lean body mass (fat-free wet weight). In the beagle the skeletal weight was not constant, but a decreasing proportion of LBM during growth. In the pig there were no significant changes comparable to those in the beagle, probably because only a small part of the growth period was studied. Also, the assumption that bone mineral was 65% of fat-free dry weight of the skeleton was not applicable to the beagle, where it increased from 55% (day 0-week 12) to 70% (mouth 4-1 year). In both species skeletal growth was a function of total fat-free dry weight (FFDWt), but in the beagle the ratio Kt/FFDWt increased from 130 (day 0-week) 12) to 160 (month 4-1 year) and reflected changes in the contribution of body cell mass and skeletal to FFDWt.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004285:Dogs / Q000254:growth & development*; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values; D012863:Skeleton; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development*