[The pathogenesis of epiphysiolysis in swine]

In the offspring of a sow suffering from epiphyseolysis a unilateral and bilateral epiphyseolysis occurred associated with high energy food and also partly due to low mineral food in 4 out of 7 piglets. A further animal showed apophyseolysis. Compared to the normal piglets there was no difference observed concerning the parameter of the bone metabolism (Ca, P, alk. phosphatase) and the size of angles between shaft and neck of the femur. Serial X-ray examinations revealed osteolytic changes in the cortex of the femur neck, starting before epiphyseolysis was evident and which could be proved to be in the macerated bones of the affected piglets. The etiology of these pre-epiphyseolytic changes as a segue of vascularisation disorders in the bone and its significance for the pathogenesis of epiphyseolysis are discussed.