The morphology of degenerative hip disease in male breeding turkeys

A form of degenerative joint disease in male breeding turkeys has been studied. Initial lesions occurred in the antitrochanteric region of the acetabulum. A surface cleft appeared in antitrochanteric cartilage and free cartilage bodies were subsequently released into the joint cavity. Secondary osteoarthrosis developed, involving both the femoral and acetabular components of the coxofemoral joint. Lesions of the antitrochanter were graded according to their severity and provide a pathological sequence. Of 59 male breeding turkeys examined at approximately one year of age, antitrochanteric lesions were present in all but 5 of them. The disease was not seen in 20 females of comparable age.