EFFECT OF TIBIAL DYSCHONDROPLASIA ON BROILER GROWTH AND CANCELLOUS BONE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES

The increased incidence of leg abnormalities, particularly tibial dysc hondroplasia, in chickens could be related to changes in tibiotarsal c ancellous bone properties. To explore this hypothesis, the relationshi p between lesion occurrence and various tibiotarsal growth parameters, and subchondral bone strength characteristics was investigated. A hig her elastic modulus, meaning the cancellous bone was more rigid, was s een for tibiotarsal cancellous bone with lesions. Microfractures in ca ncellous bone, particularly in the medial growth plate region, may lea d to overall bone conformation changes and therefore to lameness.