title: Serum- and bone-mineral status of ostriches with tibiotarsal rotation.
abstract: Tibiotarsal rotation in ostrich chicks is a serious problem that accounts for considerable financial loss to ostrich farmers. Serum- and bone-mineral analyses of 20 ostrich chicks with tibiotarsal rotation were compared with serum- and bone-mineral analyses of eight normal ostrich chicks of comparable age, sex and body mass, and raised under identical conditions. The serum-zinc values were significantly higher and the bone-calcium and phosphorus values significantly lower in the affected group than in the group of normal ostrich chicks. The results indicated poor mineralization of bone with subsequent reactive osteoid formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bezuidenhout
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Reyers
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Soley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000002:abnormalities*; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood; D012399:Rotation; D013643:Tarsus, Animal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013977:Tibia / Q000002:abnormalities*
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium