title: Effect of additional boron on tibias of African ostrich chicks.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to find out the effects of boron on ostrich chicks fed with 0 mg/l, 100 mg/l, 200 mg/l, and 400 mg/l of additional boron in water. We measured bone mineral density (BMD), perimeter, length, weight, ash content of ostrich tibias, thickness of cortical bone, and diameter of the marrow cavity. We also analyzed the apoptosis status of paraffin sections using a TUNEL kit and examined serum levels of leptin and estradiol (E(2)). The results were dramatic. Compared with the control group, group C had a very high BMD. The serum levels of leptin in groups C and D were significantly higher than control values, and the levels of E(2) fluctuated. The perimeter, length, weight, and ash content of ostrich tibias all increased significantly with increasing dosage of boron. The cross-section analysis revealed that the bone marrow cavity shifted closer to one side in group D, which was observed on a macro-scale. This shift may be related to the toxicity of excessive boron, as indicated by the apoptosis status. According to the present data, additional boron was helpful for ostrich chick bone development, and 200 mg/l supplement boron in the drinking water appeared to be the most beneficial.
authors: College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
authors: Jiayue
authors: J
authors: Cheng
authors: Kemei
authors: K
authors: Peng
authors: Erhui
authors: E
authors: Jin
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Ningbo
authors: N
authors: Zhang
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Song
authors: Huazhen
authors: H
authors: Liu
authors: Zhonglin
authors: Z
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001846:Bone Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D001896:Boron Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D009752:Nutritional Status; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000254:growth & development*; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001896:Boron Compounds; D020738:Leptin; D004958:Estradiol