Orbell G M B, Thompson K G, Owen M C, Munday J S, West D M
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
N Z Vet J. 2007 Dec;55(6):297-301. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2007.36784.
To conduct a pilot study investigating the incidence and pathology of spondylosis in a sample of cull rams in New Zealand.
Vertebral columns from 51 cull rams from different properties were assessed radiographically for evidence of spondylosis. They were graded according to severity, using a four-point grading system. Samples of intervertebral discs representing different grades of spondylosis were examined histopathologically.
Forty (78%) rams had spondylosis in at least one intervertebral space. Of these, 11 had ankylosis involving one or more intervertebral spaces. The frequency of spondylosis was greater in the thoracic than lumbar region (p<0.001), and was most frequent between T10-T11. Histopathological examination of intervertebral discs associated with all grades of spondylosis revealed degenerative changes in the annulus fibrosis.
Spondylosis appeared to be common in cull rams and affected thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. It often involved ankylosis of adjacent vertebrae, and was associated with degeneration of the intervertebral disc.
Spondylosis may reduce the serving ability of rams and be an important underlying reason for culling. The pathogenesis of spondylosis is unknown but may involve high mating frequencies during the breeding season.
开展一项初步研究，调查新西兰淘汰公羊样本中脊柱病的发病率和病理情况。
对来自不同养殖场的51只淘汰公羊的脊柱进行X光检查，以寻找脊柱病的证据。根据严重程度，使用四分制分级系统对其进行分级。对代表不同等级脊柱病的椎间盘样本进行组织病理学检查。
40只（78%）公羊至少在一个椎间隙出现脊柱病。其中，11只出现涉及一个或多个椎间隙的关节强硬。脊柱病在胸椎区域的发生率高于腰椎区域（p<0.001），且在T10 - T11之间最为常见。对与所有等级脊柱病相关的椎间盘进行组织病理学检查发现，纤维环有退行性变化。
脊柱病在淘汰公羊中似乎很常见，且影响胸椎和腰椎。它常涉及相邻椎体的关节强硬，并与椎间盘退变有关。
脊柱病可能会降低公羊的配种能力，是淘汰的一个重要潜在原因。脊柱病的发病机制尚不清楚，但可能与繁殖季节的高交配频率有关。
