Leg deformities were investigated in two flocks of male broilers. The most frequently encountered lesions were a progressive valgus deformity of the intertarsal joint, dyschondroplasia and an abnormal thickening of growth plates. No chondrodystrophy was observed. In one flock the peak incidence of leg deformities occurred between 3 and 7 weeks of age and 75% of all valgus abnormalities were diagnosed between 22 and 35 days of age (P < 0.001); 62% of broilers with leg abnormality in this flock had growth plate lesions in one or more bones compared to 40% in broilers without deformity (P < 0.001). Although a relationship is indicated between the presence of dyschondroplasia - particularly in the distal tibio-tarsus - and valgus deformity it was considered that dyschondroplasia would increase the likelihood of distortion without necessarily being a pre-requisite for the initial deformity. The terminology of the lesions is discussed.

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Cattle on 18 of 21 farms in north-east Scotland were found to have low whole blood activities of the selenium-containing enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (less than 5 units per ml whole blood), and a low blood concentration of selenium (less than 0.05 mg per litre). These cattle had all been fed on locally produced feedstuffs without any mineral supplementation. The low selenium status in cattle occurred on farms with soils derived from a range of parent material, no one particular type predominating.

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