Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.2045

The incidence and distribution of radiographic changes in digital region of stud bulls without lameness

Hrvoje Capak ; Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *
Branimir Škrlin ; Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Javor ; Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Folnožić ; Clinic for Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirta Vučković ; Clinic for Surgery, Orthopaedics and Ophthalmology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zoran Vrbanac ; Department of Radiology, Ultrasound Diagnostic and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Joint disease has a high correlation with bull reproductive failure at semen collection centers or in natural breeding programs. The majority of changes involve the digital region, with various etiologies and pathomorphologies. An X-ray examination is often indicated, but has not become a routine procedure in bovine practice. The aim of our research was to determine radiographically visible changes in the digital region and determine their anatomical distribution in stud bulls that do not show clinical signs of lameness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vivo radiographic study of the digital region in Simmental stud bulls. The study included 30 adult Simmental stud bulls in breeding condition. Five (16.66%) bulls had no changes on their digits, and 25 (83.33%) had different groups of changes on their digits. The anatomical site of occurrence and the frequency of pathological changes on each individual digit were determined. In 76% of bulls, changes are visible on both the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Mostly radiographic findings of changes in the digital region in stud bulls without clinical signs of the disease correspond to chronic degenerative changes in their bones and joints, but they do not have any significant influence on the health status or semen production of stud bulls. However, the distribution of radiographic findings in these stud bulls does not correspond with the previously described distribution in other categories of cattle.

Keywords

stud bull; Simmental breed; radiography; digits

Hrčak ID:

315797

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/315797

Publication date:

9.2.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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