Teaming up for animal health
Assessing Calcium Phosphorus Metabolism, Using Bone Biomarkers for Diagnostic Purposes in Growing Pigs M.J. Geudeke (DVM PhD), G. Counotte (MSc Biochemistry PhD), S.W.M. Greijdanus-Van der Putten (DVM, Pathologist), K. Kroeske (BSc Animal Science) GD Animal Health, PO Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands
Introduction Evaluating bone metabolism in pigs: Calcium (Ca) & Phosphorus (P) in serum ≠ sensitive / specific indicators Bone markers: • OC = osteocalcin = non-collagenous protein of the bone matrix, synthesized by osteoblasts è circulating OC = marker of osteoblast activity = indicator of bone formation. • CTx = C-telopeptide = during bone regeneration, type I collagen is degraded into small peptide fragments like CTx = indicator of bone resorption.
Material and methods Quantitative ELISA tests used by laboratory of GD Animal Health: OC = N-Mid Osteocalcin ELISA for the quantitative measurement CTx = adaptation of the Serum CrossLaps ELISA for the quantification of CTx. Reference values: serum samples form healthy pigs Evaluation of samples from well-defined cases of lameness.
Results Reference values in healthy growing pigs: # of animals
54
41
56
40
4-10
11-17
18-25
> 25 (gilts)
OC µg/L; avg
26
24
29
31
CTx µg/L; avg
0.30
0.22
0.30
0.23
OC 95% conf. interval
11 - 46
14 - 37
11- 54
17 - 49
CTx 95% conf. interval
0.07 - 1.00
0.08 - 0.56
0.17 - 0.63
0.19 - 0.59
Age (in weeks)
Case: Histopathology: Serology: Feed correction:
Lameness in young finisher pigs (age 12 to 20 weeks Signs of metabolic bone disease (mild osteoporosis) Very low OC:CTx ratio in pigs with lameness Change in calcium source and concentration è more bone formation è recovery with higher OC, lower CTx, higher Ca levels
Figure 1: The Osteoclast Source: Medical Physiology, 2nd. edition (2012); WF Boron & EL Boulpaep (eds.)
OC µg/L
CTx µg/L
Ca mmol/L (stdev)
Pigs with lameness (n=5)
16.0
0.53
2.54 (0,10)
After nutritional correction (n=5)
38.2
0.21
2.69 (0,06)
(abnormal) bone trabeculae
osteoclasts
Conclusion Use of serum tests for bone markers in pigs è useful diagnostic information on bone metabolism. chondrocyte nests absence of bone trabeculae
Figure 2: metabolic bone disease (femur, pig) Source: GD Animal Health
GD, P.O. Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, the Netherlands, T. +31 (0)570-63 33 91, F. +31 (0)570-63 41 04 www.gdanimalhealth.com, info@gdanimalhealth.com
GDOV1064/04-17
contact: t.geudeke@gdanimalhealth.com