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Abnormal bone development and lameness associated with secondary copper deficiency in young cattle
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|April 1, 1975
Summary
Low copper levels in calves were linked to bone development issues in their legs, causing lameness. High sulfate and molybdenum in pasture forage may contribute to this condition.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Animal Nutrition
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- Lameness in young cattle can significantly impact animal welfare and productivity.
- Abnormal bone development in growing animals often relates to nutritional deficiencies or toxicities.
- Distal growth plate abnormalities in the metacarpus and metatarsus are critical indicators of skeletal health in calves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical, radiographic, and pathological basis of lameness in calves.
- To determine the role of mineral concentrations in serum, liver, and forage in the observed condition.
- To identify specific bone development abnormalities associated with lameness in young cattle.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination of lame calves aged 5-12 months.
- Radiographic imaging of affected metacarpal and metatarsal bones.
- Pathological assessment including histopathology of growth plates.
- Analysis of copper, calcium, phosphorus, sulfate, zinc, and molybdenum levels in serum, liver, and pasture forage.
Main Results:
- Lameness was associated with abnormal bone development in distal metacarpal and metatarsal growth plates.
- Calves exhibited low serum and liver copper concentrations.
- Pasture forage showed high sulfate, zinc, and molybdenum, with normal copper, calcium, and phosphorus.
- Radiographs revealed widened cartilage zones and physeal plate lipping; histopathology showed focal growth plate widening with uncalcified cartilage.
Conclusions:
- Copper deficiency, potentially exacerbated by high dietary sulfate and molybdenum, is implicated in the abnormal bone development causing lameness in these calves.
- The findings highlight the importance of mineral balance in pasture for preventing skeletal abnormalities and lameness in growing cattle.
- Early identification of nutritional imbalances is crucial for managing and preventing lameness associated with growth plate disorders in calves.