Studies on rickets and osteomalacia in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus)

Epidemiological studies have indicated incidences of 32.9% and 27.8% for rickets and osteomalacia, respectively, in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus), but there is an increased incidence under drought conditions, sometimes reaching 75%. We have found that concentrations of phosphorus and copper in forage and soil samples in a drought affected area were significantly lower than in a control area or normal reference values (P < 0.01) ; the mean Ca:P ratio in the forages was 50:1. The phosphorus content of blood and hair from affected camels was significantly less than that in controls (P < 0.01) and concentrations of copper in the liver and kidney were significantly lower in affected camels than control animals (P < 0.01); the concentrations of triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the serum from affected animals were significantly higher than those from healthy controls (P < 0.01); serum inorganic phosphorus and ceruloplasmin levels were lower than those in the controls (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); the concentrations of serum alpha-globulin and beta-globulin were significantly higher in the affected camels than in the healthy controls (P < 0.01). The pathological changes seen in camels affected with rickets included porous, brittle, light, osteoporotic bones that were susceptible to fractures and had less resistance to cutting and sawing. Wrist joints were enlarged with an apparent bowing of the long bones in forelimb and with typical broadening of the epiphyses. In adult female camels, many enlarged scars were often seen in ribs indicating earlier fractures. The disease could be cured with supplementary bone meal, phosphate or mineral mixtures and in field investigations clinical signs disappeared within 15 days. Over the same period, the concentrations of phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in blood returned to normal. The disease may be effectively prevented by use of mineral blocks (block salt licks) or dosing orally with copper, selenium and cobalt soluble glass boluses. We conclude that rickets and osteomalacia are mainly caused by phosphorus and copper deficiencies in the pasture.     

泌乳奶牛低血钙的诊断和治疗

选择14头有运动障碍的荷斯坦泌乳牛,测定其血浆钙（Ca）、磷（P）含量,在日粮中添加石粉饲喂半个月后,再测定其血浆Ca、P。结果显示,患牛补充石粉前低血钙率达85.32%,补充石粉后15d降至16.67%,同时血浆Ca含量极显著升高（P〈0.01）,血浆P含量显著下降（P〈0.05）,钙磷比显著升高（P〈0.05）。因此,机体钙浓度低、磷浓度高所致的钙磷比失调是引起奶牛骨软症的主要原因。石粉能有效地防治奶牛骨软症。     

乳牛骨软症的调查研究

本文对哈尔滨奶牛场发生的以异嗜、跛行等为特征的乳牛疾病进行了调查研究,分析研究了日粮成分,临床表现,血清钙、无机磷、镁和羟脯氨酸的含量及变化,以及尾椎密度的测定值。结果表明,日粮中钙过多,磷、镁供给不足,钙、磷比例过大是致病的主要原因。并分析研究了乳牛血液生化指标的变化和尾椎骨密度的测定法对诊断和监测骨软症和钙、磷、镁代谢动态的意义。     

骨钙素在乳牛骨软病研究上的重要性

从北京某农场选取５头骨软病乳牛作为试验组，５头健康乳牛作为对照组，然后进行了血常规，血清学检测。结果表明，试验组乳牛血清钙水平呈下降趋势；血清无机磷水平显著下降。知清ＡＫＰ活性显著升高，其同工酶特征性酶谱中骨带染色谱宽变深；血清维生素Ｄ３活性代谢产物（２５－ＯＨ－Ｄ和１，２５－（ＰＨ）２－Ｄ３）均显著下降；血清骨钙素（ＢＧＰ）水平极显著下降。     

乳牛肝功能与维生素D3代谢及骨软病关系的研究

通过血常规，血清钙，无机磷，碱性磷酸酶活及其同工酶酶谱，尾椎Ｘ线检查等方法，在北京市郊区某农场，选出１０头健康成年黑白花乳牛作为对照组，１０头骨软病乳牛作为试验组。分别对其肝功能，血清维生素Ｄ３，２５－羟维生素Ｄ３（２５－ＯＨ－Ｄ３）和１，２５－双羟维生素Ｄ３（１，２５－（ＯＨ）２－Ｄ３）进行测定。结果表明，骨软病乳牛血清硫酸锌浊度及γ－球蛋白明显高于健康水平（Ｐ〈０．０５和Ｐ〈０．０１），而血清