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Nutritional and metabolic exposure during critical periods of prenatal and neonatal development in animals and humans may induce long-term effects on health status in later life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of neonatal treatment with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) during the first 3 weeks of life on programming of skeletal development in sheep. The study was performed on 12 male sheep divided into two groups. While the control group was treated with placebo, the lambs in the HMB group received the calcium salt of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate at a daily dose of 0.1 g (kg body weight) −1 . The assessment of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and biochemical bone turnover markers in serum was performed in 21-and 130-day-old animals. Post mortem, volumetric bone mineral density, morphological and mechanical properties were determined in femur and lumbar vertebrae. Neonatal treatment with HMB increased serum concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, GH and IGF-1 in 21-day-old lambs by 125.2, 93.8, 71.8 and 70.9%, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). The C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) concentration was increased in 130-day-old animals from the HMB group by 33.1% (P = 0.03). Furthermore, HMB administration improved bone weight, volumetric bone mineral density and bone morphological and mechanical properties of femur and lumbar spine. In conclusion, this study showed long-term beneficial effects of neonatal treatment with HMB on programming of peripheral and axial skeleton properties that were mediated by a transient improvement of somatotrophic axis function and acceleration of bone metabolism.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of denervation and alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) administration on the development of osteopenia in the turkey radius. At 22 d of age, all turkeys were subjected to neurectomy of the right radius. Control turkeys were given a saline solution into the crop each day for 97 d. Experimental turkeys were given 0.4 g of AKG/kg of BW into the crop each day. After 98 d, BW was not affected by the AKG treatment. Volumetric bone mineral density of the radius was measured by quantitative computed tomography. Mechanical properties were tested using a 3-point bending test. Cross-sectional area, second moment of inertia, and mean relative wall thickness were measured as well. Amino acid concentrations were assessed with the use of ion-exchange chromatography. Denervation had a negative effect on all bone characteristics that were measured except bone length. The AKG had a positive effect on all bone characteristics except bone length. Plasma concentrations of proline and leucine were increased by AKG, whereas concentrations of taurine and glutamine were decreased. The turkey radius appears to be a good model for studying osteopenia because its development can be affected by treatments such as denervation and AKG administration.

The bone mineral density and mechanical and geometric properties of humeri indicate an inverse effect of maternal separate or simultaneous administration of AKG and Dex to sows on bone development during the last 24 days of prenatal life.