Porcine Osteochondrosis Study Guide
Overview and Clinical Importance
Osteochondrosis (OC) is a focal or multifactorial failure of endochondral ossification affecting growth cartilage in domestic pigs. It is considered the most important cause of leg weakness in swine and represents a significant welfare and economic concern in modern pig production. Studies estimate that up to 80-100% of finishing pigs show some degree of subclinical osteochondrosis, though only a fraction develop clinical lameness.
The condition occurs in the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex (AECC) and growth plates of rapidly growing pigs. Affected pigs may experience pain, lameness, reduced growth performance, and premature culling. The disease has both welfare implications and substantial economic impact through reduced feed efficiency, increased culling rates, and decreased carcass value.
Definition and Terminology
Osteochondrosis refers to a focal disturbance in endochondral ossification of joint cartilage and epiphyseal growth plates. The term dyschondroplasia is used synonymously in some literature. The condition is characterized by abnormal chondrocyte differentiation and failure of cartilage to convert to bone at the normal rate.
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