Osteochondrosis in growing bulls. Pathology, frequency and severity on different feedings.

Lesions typical for osteochondrosis were found in the joint cartilage and metaphyseal growth plates of growing bulls, of which many showed clinical signs of so-called leg weakness. Of 48 bulls included in the investigation, 23 were on intensive feeding and they all were found to have osteochondrosis at several locations. Of the 25 bulls of lower intensity feeding, only 13 had osteochondrosis. The lesions in those bulls were less severe than in the bulls on the high intensity feeding. At slaughter, when the lesions were inspected, the bulls on high energy feeding were much younger than the ones on the lower energy feeding. This must be kept in mind, when a comparison is made. As the bulls of the high intensity feeding were growing more rapidly, frequency and severity of osteochondrosis seemed to be correlated with rapid growth. Other etiological factors were, however, considered. A comparatively low intake of calcium in relation to daily weight increase may be one explanation for the high frequency in the bulls in high intensity feeding. Lack of exercise and large amounts of concentrates were possible explanations for the overall high frequency of osteochondrosis in the present material. The lesions in the joints and growth plates in the bulls were similar to those seen in pigs and horses. The reason why some partly or completely detached bodies contained bone is discussed. A possible connection between osteochondrosis and so-called subchondral bone cysts, as previously described in horses, is mentioned.