title: Preliminary report on osteochondrosis in cattle in the north-western parts of South Africa.
abstract: The north-western part of South Africa, in particular, is well known for mineral imbalances. Aphosphorosis, resulting in rickets and osteomalacia, received a lot of attention at the turn of the nineteenth century (1882-1912). This was followed in 1997 by research on Vryburg hepatosis, another area-specific mineral imbalance-related disease in young calves reared on manganese-rich soil derived from the weathering of dolomitic (carbonate) rock formations. In 1982, a totally new syndrome (osteochondrosis) manifested in, amongst others, areas in South Africa where aphosphorosis was rife. Osteochondrosis was also identified in the south-western parts of Namibia as well as southern Botswana and other areas in South Africa. Osteochondrosis has a multifactorial aetiology and this study focused on the role of minerals, particularly phosphorus, in the development of the disease. A significant improvement in the clinical signs in experimental animals and a reduction of osteochondrosis occurred on farms where animals received bioavailable trace minerals and phosphorus as part of a balanced lick. An increase in the occurrence of the disease on farms during severe drought conditions in 2012-2013 prompted researchers to investigate the possible role of chronic metabolic acidosis in the pathogenesis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria. Leon.prozesky@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prozesky
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neser
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Botha
authors.forename: Lubbe
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shepstone
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Viljoen
authors.forename: Hinner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Köster
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Brouwer
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Zyl
authors.forename: Gerjan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van der Veen
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D055034:Osteochondrosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology