BONE STRENGTH OF DIFFERENT PIGS GENETIC TYPES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone strength in different genetic types of pigs. Nowadays, in swine production it is rather common to obtain pigs with weak bones, especially on the hind legs. This weakness causes fractures, which are correlated with losses in carcass weight, hence economical aspects are involved as well, and regard to significant animal welfare issues, too. Because of this, it was interesting to investigate what are the causes of weakness in pig bones of the most important genetic types used in the North European pig breeding, such as Duroc, Hampshire, Finnish Landrace and Norwegian Landrace. Bone and joint defects have been linked to high growth rate (different content in collagen), mainly of pigs. The responses of the mechanical properties are also strongly related to feeding. Genetic factors are another probable cause of weakness and the fracture of bones, both linked to osteochondrosis, which is rather common in pigs. In this study the bone strength and other geometrical and mechanical parameters, such as the bone mineral content (BMC), the bone mineral density (BMD), the thickness of the ring bone, the cross sectional area and the compression force of the ring bone as well were evaluated. These mechanical parameters were evaluated in bone‟ rings, which were obtained from the middle shaft of each femur bone of pigs.