Pathophysiology of humeral fractures in a sample of dairy heifers

Dittmer, Keren E.; Hitchcock, B; McDougall, S; Hunnam, JC

doi:10.1080/00480169.2016.1171173

Cited by 19 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Steers with low LW do not necessarily have low bone volume fraction. This agreed with the observation that a high humerus fracture in dairy heifers in New Zealand was associated with high osteoporosis induced by protein and energy malnutrition during the growing period (Dittmer et al 2016).…”

Section: Trabecular Bone Remodellingsupporting

confidence: 91%

Skeletal growth in cattle in response to nutritional and hormonal manipulation

Antari¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Trabecular Bone Remodellingsupporting

confidence: 91%

Skeletal growth in cattle in response to nutritional and hormonal manipulation

Antari¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, the effect of growth and environment on subsequent bone development in dairy heifers has often been overlooked. Humeral fractures in first lactation dairy heifers were first reported in 2008 and represent a significant economic and welfare issue for the New Zealand dairy industry, with an estimated within-herd incidence of 4-25%, and approximately 5000 dairy replacements each year may be affected [3]. A case-control study of humeral fractures showed a reduction in cortical thickness and osteoporosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A case-control study of humeral fractures showed a reduction in cortical thickness and osteoporosis. While the risk factors for humeral fracture are multifactorial, a major contributor is believed to be poor nutrition early in a heifer's life [3]. However, there is currently no published literature to inform on the timing and severity of nutrition restriction required to have an effect.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bone Morphology and Strength in the Mid-Diaphysis of the Humerus and Metacarpus in Dairy Calves Prior to Weaning

Gibson

Dittmer

Back

et al. 2020

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Calf growth rate in relation to future milk production has been thoroughly studied; however, the observation of growth arrest lines in bones from heifers with humeral fractures has highlighted the need to understand bone growth in relation to calf growth. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT)-derived measures of bone strength and morphology with gross measurements of size and growth in pre-weaning dairy calves. Liveweight, height, body length, girth and leg length were measured at one, six and twelve weeks of age. At these intervals, the mid-diaphysis of the metacarpus was also scanned in the live animal using pQCT. At six and twelve weeks old, a subset of calves were euthanised and the humerus was collected and scanned at the mid-diaphysis using pQCT. Differences in growth patterns were observed between the metacarpus and humerus over time. Weight was the best predictor for measures of periosteal circumference and stress strain index (R2 = 0.49–0.58) in the metacarpus, and also the best predictor for measures of stress strain index at all ages in the humerus (R2 = 0.94). The strong relationship with weight and bone measures emphasises the need for adequate preweaning nutrition for future bone growth.

show abstract

“…In contrast, spontaneous humeral fractures in first-lactation dairy heifers are reported to originate from the distal metaphysis [2]. Post-mortem examinations of spontaneous humeral fractures have shown an association with lower cortical bone thickness in affected bones, contributing to a decrease in bone strength (measured by stress-strain index) [2]. Growth arrest lines have also been observed in the humeri from heifers with spontaneous humeral fractures, indicating a period of malnutrition at some point in the heifer's life [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…In cattle with normal cortical bone thickness, humeral fractures are rare (5% of all fractures in cattle and 18% of all long bone fractures) due to the protection provided by the biceps brachii, brachiocephalicus, and brachialis muscles that surround the humerus caudally, laterally and cranially [1]. In contrast, spontaneous humeral fractures in first-lactation dairy heifers are reported to originate from the distal metaphysis [2]. Post-mortem examinations of spontaneous humeral fractures have shown an association with lower cortical bone thickness in affected bones, contributing to a decrease in bone strength (measured by stress-strain index) [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Mid-Diaphysis Is a Poor Predictor of Humeral Fracture Risk Indicating That Predisposing Factors Are Recent

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The incidence of spontaneous humeral fractures in first-lactation dairy heifers in New Zealand has emphasised the need to understand the thoracic limb bone growth of dairy heifers. Previous research has indicated that a predisposing factor to spontaneous humeral fracture is nutrition. In addition, it has been hypothesised that liver copper concentration affects bone strength and may be a potential factor associated with humeral fracture risk. The aim of this study was to compare bone morphology in the mid-diaphysis of the metacarpus and humerus of heifers affected and unaffected by spontaneous humeral fractures, and determine the effect of copper status at death on bone morphology. The metacarpus and humerus were collected from heifers affected and unaffected by humeral fractures, and scanned using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). The mid-diaphysis of the humerus of the affected group had reduced cortical bone mineral density and a trend for reduced cortical content and total bone content, which contributed to a reduced stress–strain index. The trend for reduced bone length in affected humeri provides additional support for the hypothesis of inhibited humeral growth. Heifers with low copper liver concentrations had reduced humerus lengths and reduced cortical bone mineral densities. These data support the hypothesis that the developmental window for humeral fracture is recent, and possibly associated with periods of inadequate nutrition.

show abstract

Pathophysiology of humeral fractures in a sample of dairy heifers

Cited by 19 publications

References 17 publications

Skeletal growth in cattle in response to nutritional and hormonal manipulation

Skeletal growth in cattle in response to nutritional and hormonal manipulation

Bone Morphology and Strength in the Mid-Diaphysis of the Humerus and Metacarpus in Dairy Calves Prior to Weaning

The Mid-Diaphysis Is a Poor Predictor of Humeral Fracture Risk Indicating That Predisposing Factors Are Recent

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About