title: Skeletal and blood biochemical characteristics of sheep during growth and breeding: a comparison of flocks with and without broken mouth.
abstract: Two-hundred female Scottish Blackface sheep ranging in age from 3 months to 5 1/2 years were used to investigate the relationships between blood biochemical characteristics, skeletal metabolism and dental health on 5 farms, 3 with broken mouth and 2 with no incidence of the disease. Skeletal growth to 6 months of age was faster in lambs from control flocks than in lambs from affected farms although growth thereafter was slower in the control group. A generally lower protein intake on control farms may account for this reduced growth rate. In general, adult dimensions of bones were attained between 14 and 30 months of age but age of maturation varied between bones; tibial endochondral growth ended after 14 to 21 months while the rib still showed evidence of endochondral growth at 70 months of age. This growth was episodic, being maximal during lactation and possible causes are discussed. There was no significant differences in calcium or phosphorus status between control and affected populations, an inadequate phosphorus intake during pregnancy was common to both groups. Lower serum magnesium concentration in affected than in control sheep was a consistent finding and is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002356:Cartilage / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D012098:Reproduction; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development*; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D002118:Calcium