Evaluation of a bone biopsy technique for determining the calcium and phosphorus status of swine from weaning to market weight.
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.
Combs
N R
NR
Dept. of Anim. Sci., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.
Kornegay
E T
ET
Lindemann
M D
MD
Notter
D R
DR
Welker
F H
FH
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000737:chemistry; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000737:chemistry; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013977:Tibia / Q000737:chemistry*; D014886:Weaning
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium