Nutritional and metabolic bone disease in a zoological population

Abstract

Abstract. The radiologic survey technique used atthe National Zoological Park has disclosed many cases of nutritional and metabolic bone disease of various types. This communication discusses calcium deficiency states seen in lion cubs associated with a meat diet, the increased need for calcium noted in egg-laying lizards, problems found in New World monkeys, antelopes (due to selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency), hypervitaminosis D, and lead poisoning noted in young primates. In all of these diagnoses, the use of routine radiographic studies has been extremely helpful, first in detecting that a bone or soft tissue abnormality is present, and then in the differential diagnosis of the etiology of this abnormality. As more is learned of the necessary nutriments for exotic species kept in captivity, it is expected that the nutritional disturbances described in this article will be seen with decreasing frequency.

Radiographic and histological evidence of metabolic bone disease in gliding leaf frogs (Agalychnis spurrelli)

“…In the present study the radiological findings included increased spinal column bone density (22.22% = 2/9), epiphysial moth-eaten osteolysis (11.11% = 1/9), solid periosteal reaction located the epiphysis and diaphysis (66.66% = 6/9), bone deformities located in epiphysis and in the diaphysis (88.88% = 8/9), epiphysial cortical tunneling (33.33% = 3/10) and inflammation of soft tissues (77,77% = 7/9), pathological fractures of the femur and urostyle (22.22% = 2/9) and spinal column deviations (100% = 9/9). All these alterations have been described in previous studies in other species with metabolic bone disease (Chang et al., 2016; Freedman et al., 1976; Patel et al., 2015).…”

“…In humans, frequently described anomalies are subperiosteal bone resorption, periosteal reaction, intracortical, subchondral and endosteal resorption, brown tumors, pathologic fractures, diffuse increase in bone radiodensity and striped appearance of the spinal column (Chang et al., 2016; Patel et al., 2015). In reptiles there may be other additional anomalies such as a deformed spine and extensive periosteal bone formation that deforms the bone in an evident manner (Freedman et al., 1976). In this study, there were many alterations that were very similar, such as spinal column deformities, solid periosteal reaction in long bones, pathological fractures and epiphyseal cortical resorption or tunneling.…”

“…When there is a pathology such as MBD, the remodeling process is abnormal, and instead of forming new normal bone, there is a deposition of osteoid, like the one that was observed in the metatarsa or proliferation of fibrous tissue like the one observed in the femur, radio-ulna an tibiofibula (Craig et al., 2007). The bone deposition of osteoid is a characteristic that has been reported in cases of osteomalacia, and the formation of fibrous tissue is a representative finding of fibrous osteodystrophy, diseases that have been widely reported in reptiles, domestic and wildlife mammals and humans (Craig et al., 2007; Chang et al., 2016; Freedman et al., 1976; Klaphake, 2010; Patel et al., 2015; Zachary and McGavin, 2012).…”

Metabolic bone disease in a white‐faced saki (Pithecia pithecia)

“…6,9 New World primates seem to be particularly susceptible to metabolic bone diseases due to an inability to utilize vitamin D 2 , leading to a reliance on this conversion of pro-vitamin D 3 (7-dehydrocholesterol) to pre-vitamin D in the skin for vitamin D and calcium regulation. 10,11 Many New World primate species, including common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagotricha), and Bolivian red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus), have documented cases of metabolic bone disease, but this case represents the first documented case, to our knowledge, of metabolic bone disease in a white-faced saki 10,[12][13][14] .…”

Skeletal remains of five blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska: A view of differential diagnosis

“…Melhus et al (1998) noted that human hypervitaminosis A can associate with lower bone mineral density and higher hip fracture risk. Ogden and Conlogue (1981) reported that bone changes of hypervitaminosis A may resemble radiographic lesions of vitamin D malabsorption (Breshau, 1957; Freedman et al, 1976), especially in the presence of excess liver intake. Taken together, these observations suggest that a relationship between hypervitaminosis A and inadequate calcium–phosphorus balance could be contextual, involving species, morphology, diet, and circumstance.…”