饲粮蛋氨酸水平对樱桃谷肉种鸭产蛋性能的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮蛋氨酸水平对樱桃谷肉种鸭产蛋性能的影响。选取44周龄樱桃谷肉种鸭4 980只,随机分为5个处理,每个处理3个重复,每个重复332只(公鸭57只,母鸭275只)。5组试验鸭分别饲喂蛋氨酸水平为0.34%、0.38%、0.42%、0.46%和0.50%的试验饲粮(代谢能均为11.29 MJ/kg)。试验期为14周(44～57周龄)。结果表明:饲粮蛋氨酸水平对产蛋率和合格蛋率未产生显著影响(P>0.05)。随饲粮蛋氨酸水平的增加,合格蛋率呈线性降低(R2=0.878 0,P<0.05),产蛋率呈二次曲线增加(R2=0.989 9,P<0.05),在饲粮蛋氨酸水平为0.42%时产蛋率达到最高(89.41%)。饲粮蛋氨酸水平对不合格蛋率和小蛋率未产生显著影响(P>0.05)。随饲粮蛋氨酸水平的增加,双黄蛋率呈线性降低(R2=0.954 7,P<0.05);小蛋率呈先下降后上升的趋势,在饲粮蛋氨酸水平为0.42%时达到最低(5.36%)。饲粮蛋氨酸水平对只产蛋数和只产合格蛋数未产生显著影响(P>0.05)。饲粮蛋氨酸水平为0.42%时,肉种鸭只产蛋合格数最高(31.84枚)。饲粮蛋氨酸水平对平均蛋重有显著影响(P<0.05),对受精率无显著影响(P>0.05)。饲粮蛋氨酸水平为0.46%时,平均蛋重最大(93.70 g),受精率最高(92.98%)。本试验条件下,蛋氨酸水平为0.42%时,樱桃谷肉种鸭在产蛋中后期(44～57周龄)可获得较佳的产蛋性能。     

饲粮代谢能及粗蛋白质水平对绍兴鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及血浆生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮代谢能(ME)及粗蛋白质(CP)水平对绍兴鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及血浆生化指标的影响,探讨绍兴鸭饲粮中代谢能及粗蛋白质的适宜水平。采用3×3二因子完全随机分组设计,选择972只健康的38周龄绍兴鸭,随机分为9个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复18只鸭。饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质各设3个水平,代谢能水平:11.30、10.88、10.46 MJ/kg;粗蛋白质水平:18%、17%、16%。试验期为12周。结果表明:1)饲粮代谢能水平对绍兴鸭产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日采食量和料蛋比均无显著影响(P0.05),但饲粮代谢能水平显著影响了绍兴鸭日产蛋重(P0.05);饲粮代谢能水平为11.30 MJ/kg时,日产蛋重最高,料蛋比最低。饲粮粗蛋白质水平对产蛋率、平均蛋重、日产蛋重、平均日采食量、料蛋比均无显著影响(P0.05);饲粮粗蛋白质水平为18%时,产蛋率及日产蛋重最高。2)蛋黄色泽随饲粮代谢能水平升高而显著升高(P0.05),但随饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高而显著下降(P0.05),且饲粮代谢能与粗蛋白质水平对蛋黄色泽存在显著的交互作用(P0.05)。3)饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平对血浆中总蛋白、白蛋白含量无显著影响(P0.05)。饲粮代谢能水平增加显著提高了肝脏中甘油三酯的含量(P0.05)。随饲粮粗蛋白质水平升高,肝脏中脂肪含量有降低的趋势(P=0.08)。由此可见,在本试验中,饲粮代谢能水平为11.30 MJ/kg、粗蛋白质水平为18%时,绍兴鸭的生产性能达到最佳。     

饲粮代谢能、粗蛋白质水平对产蛋后期大午金凤蛋种鸡生产性能、蛋品质和繁殖性能的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平对产蛋后期大午金凤蛋种鸡生产性能、蛋品质及繁殖性能的影响，以确定饲粮中适宜的代谢能和粗蛋白质水平，为制定大午金凤种母鸡的饲养标准提供科学依据。选取648只体重和产蛋率相近的51周龄大午金凤蛋种鸡，随机分为9个组，每个组6个重复，每个重复12只鸡。采用3×3双因子(代谢能水平为：10.60、11.10和11.60 MJ/kg；粗蛋白质水平为：14.50%、15.50%和16.50%)试验设计，共配制9种试验饲粮。预试期7 d，正试期84 d。结果显示：1)饲粮代谢能水平对蛋种鸡的平均日采食量和产蛋率有显著影响(P<0.05)；随饲粮代谢能水平的降低，平均日采食量和产蛋率增加，并表现为高代谢能组显著低于中、低代谢能组(P<0.05)。饲粮粗蛋白质水平显著影响蛋种鸡的产蛋率和料蛋比(P<0.05)；随饲粮粗蛋白质水平的降低，蛋种鸡产蛋率下降，料蛋比增加。饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平对蛋种鸡产蛋率的影响存在显著的交互作用(P<0.05)。2)饲粮代谢能水平对蛋种鸡的蛋品质无显著影响(P>0.05)。饲粮粗蛋白质水平显著影响种蛋的哈...     

饲粮不同代谢能、粗蛋白质水平对新杨绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能、蛋品质及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在通过研究饲粮不同代谢能、粗蛋白质水平对新杨绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期(44~56周龄)生产性能、蛋品质及血清生化指标的影响,得出其产蛋后期饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质的适宜配比。选取768羽体重相近的43周龄末新杨绿壳蛋鸡,随机分为6组,每组4个重复,每个重复32羽。采用2×3因子(代谢能水平为10.87和11.08 MJ/kg,粗蛋白质水平为15.00%、15.50%和16.00%)设计试验,共设计6种饲粮。试验预试期1周,正试期12周。结果表明:1)饲粮不同代谢能、粗蛋白质水平对绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期产蛋率和料蛋比有显著影响(P0.05),饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平在产蛋率上表现出极显著的交互作用(P0.01),其中,高能低蛋组(代谢能为11.08 MJ/kg,粗蛋白质为15.00%)产蛋率最高,料蛋比最低。2)饲粮较高粗蛋白质水平(16.00%)能显著提高绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期鸡蛋的哈氏单位(P0.05);饲粮较高代谢能水平(11.08 MJ/kg)能显著提高绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期鸡蛋的蛋黄颜色(P0.05);饲粮代谢能和粗蛋白质水平在蛋品质上未表现出显著的交互作用(P0.05)。3)高能低蛋组绿壳蛋鸡血清尿素氮含量最低;饲粮较高代谢能水平(11.08 MJ/kg)能显著降低绿壳蛋鸡血清总胆固醇含量(P0.05)。综上,在本试验条件下,饲粮代谢能、粗蛋白质水平分别为11.08 MJ/kg和15.00%时,更有利于绿壳蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能的发挥和蛋品质的改善。     

饲粮粗蛋白质水平对“京红1号”蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能和蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中不同粗蛋白质水平对"京红1号"蛋鸡产蛋后期生产性能和蛋品质的影响,以确定其适宜蛋白质水平。试验选用41周龄"京红1号"商品代蛋鸡720只,按实测粗蛋白质水平(分别为14.08%、14.53%、14.98%和15.44%)随机分为Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组,每组12个重复,每个重复15只鸡。预试期1周,正试期22周。结果表明:1)饲粮粗蛋白质水平对蛋鸡产蛋率、平均蛋重和日产蛋量影响显著(P0.05),且其均随饲粮粗蛋白质水平升高线性增加(P0.05);饲粮粗蛋白质水平对蛋鸡料蛋比影响显著(P0.05),且其随粗蛋白质水平升高线性降低(P0.05)。2)Ⅳ组蛋壳厚度显著高于Ⅰ组和Ⅲ组(P0.05);Ⅳ组蛋重显著高于Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组(P0.05),蛋重随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平升高线性增加(P0.05)。3)经济效益分析表明Ⅳ组蛋重成本最低,经济效益最佳。综合生产性能与经济效益分析,42~64周龄"京红1号"蛋鸡适宜粗蛋白质水平为15.44%,适宜蛋白质能量比为13.41 g/MJ。     

饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡生产性能的影响

本试验通过研究饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡生产性能的影响,建立蛋白质需要量析因模型,确定济宁百日蛋种鸡饲粮粗蛋白质的需要量。采用单因素完全随机试验设计,饲粮粗蛋白质水平分别为13%、14%、15%、16%、17%,其他营养指标保持一致。选取40周龄、体重接近的健康济宁百日蛋种鸡525只,随机分为5组,每组5个重复,每个重复21只。预试期7 d,试验期56 d。结果表明:1)饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡平均日粗蛋白质摄入量(ADCPI)有极显著的影响(P0.01),随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高,ADCPI显著升高(P0.05)。2)饲粮粗蛋白质水平对济宁百日蛋种鸡41~48周龄的产蛋数、产蛋率、平均蛋重、平均日产蛋量(ADEM)均有显著影响(P0.05),对料蛋比有极显著影响(P0.01);高粗蛋白质水平组(16%、17%)的产蛋数、产蛋率、ADEM均高于低粗蛋白质水平组(13%、14%、15%)。在一定的饲粮粗蛋白质水平(13%~16%)范围内,蛋重有随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高而升高的趋势。3)以ADCPI为因变量,以平均日增重(ADG)、ADEM和代谢体重(BW0.75)为自变量,拟合济宁百日蛋种鸡粗蛋白质需要析因模型为:ADCPI=0.268 0 ADG+0.271 1 ADEM+3.299 3 BW0.75(R2=0.993 4)。满足济宁百日蛋种鸡41~48周龄时最佳生产性能的适宜饲粮粗蛋白质水平为15.49%。     

饲粮粗蛋白质水平对汶上芦花鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮粗蛋白质水平对汶上芦花鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响,建立粗蛋白质需要量回归模型,确定汶上芦花鸡产蛋期饲粮粗蛋白质需要量。采用单因素试验设计,选取30周龄、体重相近的健康汶上芦花鸡360只,随机分为5个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。各组分别饲喂饲粮粗蛋白质水平为13%、14%、15%、16%和17%的试验饲粮,其他饲粮营养水平保持一致。预试期7 d,正试期35 d。结果表明:1)平均日粗蛋白质摄入量(ADCPI)随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高而显著升高(P0.05)。产蛋数、产蛋率和平均日产蛋量(ADEM)随着饲粮粗蛋白质水平的升高先升高后降低,16%粗蛋白质水平组达到最大值,显著高于13%和14%粗蛋白质水平组(P0.05)。2)13%粗蛋白质水平组的蛋重显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。16%和17%粗蛋白质水平组的哈氏单位显著或极显著低于13%粗蛋白质水平组(P0.05或P0.01)。13%粗蛋白质水平组的蛋黄颜色显著浅于14%、15%、16%粗蛋白质水平组(P0.05)。蛋壳颜色方面,16%粗蛋白质水平组的亮度显著高于14%粗蛋白质水平组(P0.05),13%粗蛋白质水平组的红度显著高于16%粗蛋白质水平组(P0.05)。3)以ADCPI为因变量,以平均日增重(ADG)、ADEM和代谢体重(BW0.75)为自变量,建立汶上芦花鸡饲粮粗蛋白质需要量回归模型为:ADCPI=0.02ADG+0.22ADEM+4.20BW0.75(R2=974 5,P0.05)。由此可见,汶上芦花鸡31~36周龄适宜的饲粮粗蛋白质水平为15.55%。     

蛋氨酸水平对开产期麻鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及卵巢形态的影响

采用单因子随机分组试验设计,设6个蛋氨酸水平(0.25%、0.30%、0.35%、0.40%、0.45%和0.50%),探讨不同蛋氨酸水平对开产期蛋鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质及卵巢形态的影响。试验选用115日龄龙岩山麻鸭1 188只,分为6组,每组6个重复,每重复33只鸭,产蛋率达到50%开始正式试验,产蛋率80%结束,试验期21 d。结果表明:各组间平均蛋重随着饲粮蛋氨酸水平的提高而增加,并且0.30%～0.50%组显著高于0.25%组(P<0.05);饲粮蛋氨酸水平对试鸭日产蛋重产生显著影响(P<0.05),且日产蛋重与蛋氨酸水平之间存在显著的二次曲线相关(P<0.05)。各组间试鸭产蛋率、料蛋比、蛋品质、卵泡和输卵管形态未有显著差异(P>0.05)。以日产蛋重为评价指标,依据二次曲线模型,开产期麻鸭饲粮适宜蛋氨酸水平为0.40%,日摄入量为560 mg/d。蛋氨酸对开产期麻鸭蛋品质及卵巢形态未产生显著影响。     

13～18周龄笼养蛋鸭适宜蛋白质和蛋氨酸水平的研究

用 32 4羽满 1 2周龄的金定鸭 ,通过饲养试验、代谢试验、屠宰试验和对试鸭产蛋期 (1 9～ 2 8周龄 )产蛋性能的观察 ,研究了在等能条件下(ME :1 1 51MJ/kg) ,不同蛋白质水平 (CP :1 3 %、 1 5 %、 1 7% )和蛋氨酸水平 (Met/CP :0 0 1 7、 0 0 2 2、 0 0 2 7)组成的 9种饲粮对 1 3～ 1 8周龄笼养蛋鸭的生长性能、养分利用、体成分沉积和产蛋期产蛋性能的影响。结果表明 :该阶段饲粮粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平对体增重影响不显著 (P >0 0 5) ;体增重与蛋氨酸 (% )呈一定的正相关 (r=0 4574) ;CP为 1 3%、Met/CP为 0 0 2 7组采食量一直较稳定、较高 ,且饲料效率又好。代谢试验 :不同粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平饲粮对试鸭氮存留率和能量的利用率影响显著(P <0 0 5或P<0 0 1 ) ,且它们随饲粮CP水平的升高而降低 ,随蛋氨酸水平升高而升高 ;磷的利用率也分别以CP为 1 3%的水平和Met/CP为 0 0 2 7的水平极显著地高于其他水平对磷利用率 (P <0 0 1 )。屠宰试验 :当Met/CP为 0 0 2 7时 ,体氮沉积量和体磷沉积量最佳。产蛋性能 :开产日龄和高峰日龄与 1 3～ 1 8周龄CP食入量呈弱的负相关 (r=- 0 1 83 3和r=- 0 0 984) ,与蛋氨酸食入量呈正相关 (r =0 5780和r =0 435 0 )。饲粮粗蛋白、蛋氨酸水平对 1 9～ 2 8周龄     

不同蛋白水平饲粮对蛋鸭产蛋性能、蛋品质的影响

选用体重无差异的400 d、平地圈养荆麻蛋鸭400只,随机分为4个处理组,每个处理4个重复,每个重复25只。饲喂粗蛋白水平分别为15%、16.5%、18%、19.5%的饲粮,添加氨基酸产品保持饲粮中可利用蛋氨酸、赖氨酸水平一致,研究不同蛋白水平饲粮对蛋鸭产蛋性能的影响。试验结果表明,通过添加蛋氨酸、赖氨酸产品将蛋鸭产蛋后期日粮粗蛋白水平降低到15%,具有较好的生产性能和经济性能,且降低了氮的排放。     

商会自治的基石——商会自治规范研究

在现代法律秩序中,商会自治规范是制定法的基础和必要的补充,甚至在某些方面替代了制定法;商会自治规范主要包括商会组织规范、行为规范、惩罚规范以及争端解决规范等;其效力仅及于其内部成员;商会自治规范和制定法之间存在冲突,但也存在整合的基础。     

癸氧喹酯干混悬剂含量测定的改进

采用高效液相色谱法测定癸氧喹酯干混悬剂的含量,在2-250μg/mL范围内,峰面积的常用对数与进样量浓度的常用对数呈良好的线性关系,R^2=1(n=5),平均回收率为99.24%~99.51%,RSD在0.05%~0.28%。此方法分析时间短,样品前处理简便、定量结果准确,重现性好,结果满意,为其质量控制提供了依据。     

猪毛色遗传的研究进展

本文概述了猪的毛色类型、猪的毛色遗传模式,着重综述了猪毛色基因分子基础的研究进展,指出存在问题并就未来发展方向做了思考。     

Comparison of 2 methods of centesis of the bursa of the biceps brachii tendon of horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Centesis of the bicipital bursa using an 8.9 cm long spinal needle has been reported but the alternative of employing a 3.8 cm long hypodermic needle requires validation. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 2 different methods of centesis of the bicipital bursa and to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonographic imaging to determine the location of solution administered when centesis of the bursa is attempted. METHODS: For Trial 1, 6 clinicians, who had no previous experience of centesis of the bicipital bursa, attempted to inject a solution composed of an aqueous radiopaque contrast medium and physiological saline solution (PSS) into the bicipital bursae of 2/12 horses using the previously described distal approach to inject one bursa and a proximal approach to inject the contralateral bursa. The bicipital tendon and bursa were examined ultrasonographically before and after injection; and both shoulders were examined radiographically to identify the location of the medium. In Trial 2, another 6 clinicians, also with no previous experience of centesis, repeated Trial 1, using 6 horses, but the radiopaque contrast medium was mixed with air instead of PSS. RESULTS: Accuracy of centesis using the proximal approach was 39% and that of the distal approach 28%. Ultrasonographic examination of the shoulder allowed the location of solution and air to be accurately predicted in all 12 shoulders examined. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians who have had no previous experience performing centesis of the bicipital bursa are unlikely to be successful in centesis using either approach. Radiographic examination after injecting a radiopaque contrast medium may be necessary to assess the success of centesis especially if bursal fluid is not obtained during centesis. Injecting air along with the radiopaque contrast medium provides more accurate ultrasonographic confirmation of centesis and better radiographic definition than does injection without air.     

不同样本商品蜂蜜中硒含量的测定

用硝酸和高氯酸消化蜂蜜,使硒游离出来,在微酸性环境下,硒和2,3-二氨基萘(DAN)生成有较强荧光的物质,用环己烷萃取,在激发波长378nm,荧光波长518nm处测定其荧光强度。蜂蜜中硒含量范围:0.10～0.82μg/g。表明:蜂蜜应视为天然富硒营养品。     

乳酸杆菌益生作用机制的研究进展

乳酸杆菌作为益生菌广泛用于人和动物。本文综述了乳酸杆菌改善宿主健康的机制。乳酸杆菌可通过产生抗菌物质如乳酸、过氧化氢、细菌素,或者通过竞争营养或肠道黏附位点来抑制致病菌;通过诱导黏附素的分泌或阻止细胞凋亡而增强肠道的屏障功能,从而保护肠道。文章重点讨论了乳酸杆菌表面成分（表面蛋白、脂磷壁酸和肽聚糖）与肠道受体（Ｃ型凝集素受体、Ｔｏｌｌ样受体和 Ｎｏｄ样受体）,阐述了他们结合后启动免疫调节信号,调控肠道免疫功能以发挥改善健康作用的机制。     

Effects of size of ingestively masticated fragments of plant tissues on kinetics of digestion of NDF

Ingestively masticated fragments were collected and sized via sieving. Different sizes of esophageal masticate and ruminal digesta fragments, and ground fragments of larger masticated pieces were incubated in vitro, and undigested NDF remaining at intervals of up to 168 h of incubation was determined. The ruminal age-dependent time delay (tau) for onset of digestion of NDF was positively correlated (P < 0.004) with the mean sieve aperture estimated to retain 50% of the fragments between successive sieve apertures (MRA). Degradation rate of potentially degradable NDF (PDF) and level of indigestible NDF were not related (P > 0.10) to MRA of masticated and ground fragments. Estimates of tau were positively related to MRA, with slopes of bermudagrass < corn silage < ruminal fragments of corn silage. It was concluded that fragment size-, and consequently, ruminal age-dependent onset of PDF degradation of a mixture of different fragment sizes results in an age-dependent rate of degradation of the more rapidly degrading of two subentities of PDF. Models are proposed that assume a tau before onset of simultaneous degradation of PDF from two pools characterized as having gamma-modeled age-dependency and age-constant rates. The ruminal age-dependent pool seems to be associated with the faster-degrading pool, and its rate parameter increases with range in MRA in the population of fragments. Conceptually, the ruminal age-dependent rate parameter for PDF degradation seems to represent a composite of several effects: 1) effects of the size-dependent tau; 2) range in MRA of the population of ingestively masticated fragments; and 3) subentities of PDF that degrade via more rapid age-dependent rates compared with subentities of PDF that degrade via age-constant rates. The estimated fractional rates of ruminative comminution of ingestively masticated fragments (0.060 to 0.075/h) were of a magnitude similar to the mean fractional rates of PDF digestion (0.030 to 0.085/h), which implies that ruminative comminution may be first-limiting to fractional rate of PDF digestion. The in vivo roles of ingestive and ruminative mastication of fragments on PDF degradation must be considered in any kinetic system for estimating PDF digestion in the rumen. These results and others in the literature suggest that the rate of surface area exposure rather than intrinsic chemical attributes of PDF may be first-limiting to degradation rate of PDF in vivo.     

Mechanism of Action of Probiotic Function of Lactobacilli

乳酸杆菌作为益生菌广泛用于人和动物.本文综述了乳酸杆菌改善宿主健康的机制.乳酸杆菌可通过产生抗菌物质如乳酸、过氧化氢、细菌素,或者通过竞争营养或肠道黏附位点来抑制致病菌;通过诱导黏附素的分泌或阻止细胞凋亡而增强肠道的屏障功能,从而保护肠道.文章重点讨论了乳酸杆菌表面成分(表面蛋白、脂磷壁酸和肽聚糖)与肠道受体(C型凝集素受体、Toll样受体和Nod样受体),阐述了他们结合后启动免疫调节信号,调控肠道免疫功能以发挥改善健康作用的机制.     

Evaluation of serum concentrations of biomarkers of skeletal metabolism and results of radiography as indicators of severity of osteochondrosis in foals

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum concentrations of biomarkers of skeletal metabolism can, in conjunction with radiographic evaluation, indicate severity of osteochondrosis in developing horses. ANIMALS: 43 Dutch Warmblood foals with varying severity of osteochondrosis. PROCEDURE: 24 foals were monitored for 5 months and 19 foals were monitored for 11 months. Monthly radiographs of femoropatellar-femorotibial and tibio-tarsal joints were graded for osteochondral abnormalities. Serial blood samples were assayed for 8 cartilage and bone biomarkers. At the end of the monitoring period, foals were examined for macroscopic osteochondrosis lesions. RESULTS: Temporal relationships were evident between certain serum biomarkers and osteochondrosis severity in foals during their first year. Biomarkers of collagen degradation (collagenase-generated neoepitopes of type-II collagen fragments, type-I and -II collagen fragments [COL2-3/4C(short)], and cross-linked telopeptide fragments of type-I collagen) and bone mineralization (osteocalcin) were positive indicators of osteochondrosis severity at 5 months of age. In foals with lesions at 11 months of age, osteochondrosis severity correlated negatively with COL2-3/4C(short) and osteocalcin and positively with C-propeptide of type-II procollagen (CPII), a collagen synthesis marker. Radiographic grading of osteochondrosis lesions significantly correlated with macroscopic osteochondrosis severity score at both ages and was strongest when combined with osteocalcin at 5 months and CPII at 11 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ability of serum biomarkers to indicate osteochondrosis severity appears to depend on stage of disease and is strengthened with radiography. In older foals with more permanent lesions, osteochondrosis severity is significantly related to biomarker concentrations of decreased bone formation and increased cartilage synthesis.