Influence of Various Strontium Formulations (Ranelate, Citrate, and Chloride) on Bone Mineral Density, Morphology, and Microarchitecture: A Comparative Study in an Ovariectomized Female Mouse Model of Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis stands out as a prevalent skeletal ailment, prompting exploration into potential treatments, including dietary strontium ion supplements. This study assessed the efficacy of supplementation of three strontium forms-strontium citrate (SrC), strontium ranelate (SrR), and strontium chloride (SrCl)-for enhancing bone structure in 50 female SWISS mice, aged seven weeks. In total, 40 mice underwent ovariectomy, while 10 underwent sham ovariectomy. Ovariectomized (OVX) mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: OVX (no supplementation), OVX + SrR, OVX + SrC, and OVX + SrCl, at concentrations equivalent to the molar amount of strontium. After 16 weeks, micro-CT examined trabeculae and cortical bones, and whole-bone strontium content was determined. Results confirm strontium administration increased bone tissue mineral density (TMD) and Sr content, with SrC exhibiting the weakest effect. Femur morphometry showed limited Sr impact, especially in the OVX + SrC group. This research highlights strontium's potential in bone health, emphasizing variations in efficacy among its forms.

Does Chronic Pancreatitis in Growing Pigs Lead to Articular Cartilage Degradation and Alterations in Subchondral Bone?

Chronic pancreatitis (CP), a progressive inflammatory disease, poses diagnostic challenges due to its initially asymptomatic nature. While CP's impact on exocrine and endocrine functions is well-recognized, its potential influence on other body systems, particularly in young individuals, remains underexplored. This study investigates the hypothesis that CP in growing pigs leads to alterations in articular cartilage and subchondral bone, potentially contributing to osteoarthritis (OA) development. Utilizing a pig model of cerulein-induced CP, we examined the structural and compositional changes in subchondral bone, articular cartilage, and synovial fluid. Histological analyses, including Picrosirius Red and Safranin-O staining, were employed alongside immuno-histochemistry and Western blotting techniques. Our findings reveal significant changes in the subchondral bone, including reduced bone volume and alterations in collagen fiber composition. Articular cartilage in CP pigs exhibited decreased proteoglycan content and alterations in key proteins such as MMP-13 and TGF-ß1, indicative of early cartilage degradation. These changes suggest a link between CP and musculoskeletal alterations, underscoring the need for further research into CP's systemic effects. Our study provides foundational insights into the relationship between CP and skeletal health, potentially guiding future pediatric healthcare strategies for early CP diagnosis and management.

Relationship between Upper Limb Functional Assessment and Clinical Tests of Shoulder Mobility and Posture in Individuals Participating in Recreational Strength Training.

BACKGROUND: The upper limb is crucial for functioning in everyday life, thus comprehensive assessment is crucial for physically active people to monitor the effect of exercise and prevent injuries. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between upper limb function, shoulder mobility, and posture in individuals who participate in recreational strength training. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects who engaged in strength training of the upper limbs were divided into two groups: Group 1 (exercise < 3 years) and Group 2 (exercise ≥ 3 years). Lateral scapular slide tests, head and clavicle posture evaluations, and shoulder mobility and closed kinetic chain tests were performed. RESULTS: Group 1 had a greater flexion deficit in both shoulders than Group 2. There was greater external rotation in the non-dominant shoulder and a greater score of the closed kinetic chain test in Group 2 compared to Group 1. There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding scapula, clavicle, and head posture. The closed kinetic chain test was correlated with a scapula position and symmetry in shoulder flexion in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term strength training of the upper limbs can be recommended to improve functional abilities in the closed kinetic chain, increase shoulder mobility, and reduce asymmetry.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome after Distal Radius Fracture-Case Report and Mini Literature Review.

This study explores the impact of the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) on the lives and mobility of patients, with a particular focus on its emergence as a late complication of distal radius fractures (DRFs), a common occurrence, especially among an aging population. The absence of a standardized treatment for the CRPS and the challenge of predicting its occurrence make it a complex medical issue. This research aims to shed light on the effects of treating the CRPS through a case study involving a 75-year-old woman with untreated osteoporosis who experienced a Colles fracture after a fall. The initial management involved repositioning and stabilizing the fractured forearm with a plaster cast, followed by an operation using percutaneous pinning via a Kirschner wire. Subsequently, the patient developed CRPS symptoms and was admitted to the rehabilitation department three months post-fracture. The affected forearm exhibited swelling, warmth, pain, and severely limited range of motion. Treatment involved a combination of medications, physiotherapy, and kinesiotherapy. Significantly, the patient experienced notable improvement following these interventions. This study underscores the absence of a definitive standard for CRPS treatment but suggests that proper rehabilitation and pharmaceutical interventions can contribute positively to patient outcomes. The case further highlights the potential association between DRF and CRPS development, emphasizing the need for continued research in this field.

Knee Cartilage Lesion Management-Current Trends in Clinical Practice.

Many patients, particularly those aged above 40, experience knee joint pain, which hampers both sports activities and daily living. Treating isolated chondral and osteochondral defects in the knee poses a significant clinical challenge, particularly in younger patients who are not typically recommended partial or total knee arthroplasty as alternatives. Several surgical approaches have been developed to address focal cartilage defects. The treatment strategies are characterized as palliation (e.g., chondroplasty and debridement), repair (e.g., drilling and microfracture), or restoration (e.g., autologous chondrocyte implantation, osteochondral autograft, and osteochondral allograft). This review offers an overview of the commonly employed clinical methods for treating articular cartilage defects, with a specific focus on the clinical trials conducted in the last decade. Our study reveals that, currently, no single technology fully meets the essential requirements for effective cartilage healing while remaining easily applicable during surgical procedures. Nevertheless, numerous methods are available, and the choice of treatment should consider factors such as the location and size of the cartilage lesion, patient preferences, and whether it is chondral or osteochondral in nature. Promising directions for the future include tissue engineering, stem cell therapies, and the development of pre-formed scaffolds from hyaline cartilage, offering hope for improved outcomes.

The Impact of Tannic Acid Consumption on Bone Mineralization.

Tannic acid (TA) is an organic compound belonging to the tannin group. Like other tannins, it has an affinity for endogenous proteins, including digestive enzymes, which can result in the reduced digestibility and absorption of nutrients. It can also form complexes with mineral components, reducing their absorption. In some cases, this can be beneficial, such as in the case of toxic metals, but sometimes it may have a detrimental effect on the body when it involves essential mineral components like Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, or Fe. Therefore, the impact of TA on bone health should be considered from both perspectives. This relatively short review summarizes the available information and research findings on TA, with a particular focus on its potential impact on bone health. It is worth noting that future research and clinical studies may provide more detailed and precise information on this topic, allowing for a better understanding of the role of TA in maintaining the integrity of the musculoskeletal system. Despite its brevity, this paper represents a valuable contribution to the analysis of the potential benefits and challenges associated with TA in the context of bone health. We anticipate that future research will continue along this important research line, expanding our knowledge of the influence of this compound on the skeletal system and its potential therapeutic applications.

Strontium Ranelate and Strontium Chloride Supplementation Influence on Bone Microarchitecture and Bone Turnover Markers-A Preliminary Study.

Despite strontium ranelate use in osteoporosis management being one of the promising concepts in disease treatment, there is no clear evidence that strontium organic compounds are more effective than inorganic ones. The aim of this study was to compare strontium chlorate and strontium ranelate influence on the mice bone microarchitecture. We investigated whether strontium chlorate (7.532 mmol/L) and strontium ranelate (7.78 mmol/L) solutions fed to healthy SWISS growing mice (n = 42) had an influence on the percent of bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), number of trabeculae (Tb.N), and separation between each trabecula (Tb.Sp) in the chosen ROI (region of interest) in the distal metaphysis of the left femurs. The cortical bone surface was examined close to the ROI proximal scan. There was an increase in each examined parameter compared with the control group. There were no statistical differences between strontium ranelate and strontium chlorate parameters. Our study indicates that organic and inorganic strontium compounds similarly affect the bone microarchitecture and strength.

Effect of Mechanical Stimuli and Zoledronic Acid on the Femoral Bone Morphology in Rats with Obesity and Limited Mobility.

Our study aimed to compare the impact of zoledronic acid and whole-body vibration (WBV) as a non-pharmacological method of treatment for early obesity/immobility-related osteoporosis in male rat models. In total, 36 male Wistar rats were assigned to the following groups: obese control with immobility (Control, n = 12) and two experimental groups (n = 12 each), including obese and immobile rats subjected to whole-body vibration with an acceleration level of 3 m/s2 g (obesity and immobility + WBV) and obese and immobile rats that received an intramuscular injection of zoledronic acid at a dose of 0.025 mg/kg (obesity and immobility + ZOL). After the 8th and 16th week of treatment, n = 6 rats from each group were euthanized and isolated femora were subjected to a histological examination of bone, and analysis of the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) involved in bone turnover and the amount of thin collagen fibers (PSR stain). The obtained results showed that short-term vibrotherapy (up to 8 weeks) can lead to improvement in bone remodeling in rat models with obesity and limited mobility.

Femoral µCT Analysis, Mechanical Testing and Immunolocalization of Bone Proteins in ß-Hydroxy ß-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplemented Spiny Mouse in a Model of Pregnancy and Lactation-Associated Osteoporosis.

A metabolite of leucine, ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB), used as a dietary supplement effects muscle tissue gain and bone tissue quality. Since there are no studies on the effects of HMB during pregnancy yet, the aim of the current study was to determine the effects of HMB supplementation during pregnancy on osteoporotic bone quality postpartum and post-lactation using spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) as the animal models. The six-month-old dams were divided into four groups: pregnant and lactating controls, and pregnant and lactating HMB-treated (during the second trimester of pregnancy) females. The intensity of the immunoreaction of osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 8 and 13 (MMP-8 and MMP-13) and proteins involved in bone turnover, was measured in femoral trabecular and compact bone, as well as in the hyaline and epiphyseal cartilage of the femora. The analysis of the trabecular bone microarchitecture showed that the administration of HMB to pregnant females, by influencing the proteins responsible for bone cell activity and collagen remodeling, can provide protection from bone loss. Based on the results of the current study it can be assumed that HMB administration to pregnant females has a more positive impact on trabecular than compact bone.

Retrospective Study of Nosocomial Infections in the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Clinic of the Medical University of Lublin in the Years 2018-2020.

Nosocomial infections appear in patients treated in hospital, which are not the initial cause of admission. A retrospective study concerning nosocomial infections was conducted to provide data about the amount, frequency and types of nosocomial infections in the rehabilitation ward in the Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Clinic of Lublin. The study was conducted on a group of 49 patients that were admitted or transferred to the ward over a period of 20 months in the years 2018-2020. The patients and therefore the infections were divided by age, sex, time of hospitalization and the underlying disease. The study also provided data about the most frequent infection types in these patients, as well as the most commonly used drugs to treat those infections. The results showed that in fact all of the examined factors have an impact on the frequency of nosocomial infections appearance rates. Furthermore, results in the study showed that factors examined by the study also have an impact on what type of infection was present in these groups of patients.

A Kinesio Taping Method Applied in the Treatment of Postsurgical Knee Swelling after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background The knee is one of the joints in the human body that is most susceptible of osteoarthritis (OA). In the case of advanced-stage OA, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a treatment of choice. One modern physiotherapeutic method to support the treatment in the early postsurgical period is Kinesio Taping (KT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of KT on swollen subcutaneous tissue after TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The studied group consisted of 23 patients who had received TKA. The mean BMI was 30.60 ± 4.91, and KT was applied between the 3rd and 8th day of the early postoperative period. The control group was constituted by 22 patients who had received TKA. The mean BMI was 30.41 ± 6.00, and KT was not applied. On the 3rd and 8th day after TKA, in all patients, the swelling of the shin, range of motions (ROM), and pain were measured using ultrasound, a goniometer, and a VAS scale, respectively. RESULTS: In the KT group, the lateral measurement at the top of the head of the fibula significantly decreased between the 3rd and 8th day (11.47 ± 0.76 vs. 9.76 ± 0.77; p = 0.0004). The knee flexion angle on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (48.61 ± 3.08 vs. 72.74 ± 3.92; p = 0.00004). The evaluation results for severity of pain using the VAS scale on day 3 were statistically significantly higher than those on day 8 (5.74 ± 0.25 vs. 4.30 ± 0.25; p = 0.00006). In the group of patients to whom KT was not applied, the lateral measurement at the top of the head of the fibula on day 3 was not statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (10.323 ± 0.828 vs. 10.273 ± 0.995; p = 0.9227). The knee flexion angle in the group that did not receive KT on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (45.182 ± 3.654 vs. 59.909 ± 4.817; p = 0.0006). The severity of pain evaluated using the VAS scale on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (6.227 ± 0.146 vs. 4.864 ± 0.190; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: KT is an effective method for improving subcutaneous drainage and decreasing subcutaneous tissue. However, KT does not affect postoperative pain and ROM.

ß-Hydroxy-ß-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplementation Prevents Bone Loss during Pregnancy-Novel Evidence from a Spiny Mouse (Acomys cahirinus) Model.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during pregnancy on postpartum bone tissue quality by assessing changes in trabecular and compact bone as well as in hyaline and epiphyseal cartilage. The experiment was carried out on adult 6-month-old female spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) divided into three groups: pregnant control (PregCont), pregnant HMB-treated (supplemented with 0.02 g/kg b.w of HMB during the second trimester of pregnancy, PregHMB), and non-pregnant females (NonPreg). Cross-sectional area and cortical index of the femoral mid-shaft, stiffness, and Young modulus were significantly greater in the PregHMB group. Whole-bone mineral density was similar in all groups, and HMB supplementation increased trabecular number. Growth plate cartilage was the thinnest, while the articular cartilage was the thickest in the PregHMB group. HMB supplementation increased the content of proteoglycans in the articular cartilage and the percentage of immature collagen content in metaphyseal trabeculae and compact bone. In summary, dietary HMB supplementation during the second trimester of pregnancy intensifies bone metabolic processes and prevents bone loss during pregnancy.

The effect of maternal HMB supplementation on bone mechanical and geometrical properties, as well as histomorphometry and immunolocalization of VEGF, TIMP2, MMP13, BMP2 in the bone and cartilage tissue of the humerus of their newborn piglets.

The presented experiment focuses on assessing the impact of HMB (hydroxy-ß-methobutyrate) supplementation of mothers during pregnancy on the development of the skeletal system of their offspring. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out on 12 clinically healthy sows of the Great White Poland breed, which were divided randomly into two groups the control and the HMB group. All animals were kept under standard conditions and received the same feed for pregnant females. In contrast, females from the HMB group between 70 and 90 days were supplemented with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyle in the amount of 0.2g/kg b.w/day. Immediately after birth, the piglets were also divided into groups based on: sex, and presence or lack HMB supplementation, and subsequently were euthanized and humerus bones from all piglets were collected. Mother's HMB supplementation during pregnancy affected the multiple index of their offspring. The higher humerus mass and length was observed with the greater effect in males. Maternal supplementation also influenced on the geometrical and mechanical properties of the humerus as in the case of mass, this effect was higher in males. Also, the collagen structure of the compacted and trabecular bone changed under the HMB addition. Maternal supplementation also affected the expression of selected proteins in growth cartilage and trabecular bone. The obtained results show that the administration to the mother during pregnancy by the HMB significantly affects the development of the humerus in many ways. The obtained results also confirm the utility of such experiments in understanding of the importance of the pregnancy diet as an develop and adaptable factor of offspring organisms and are the base for further research in that area as well as in the protein markers expression area.

Structural Changes in Trabecular Bone, Cortical Bone and Hyaline Cartilage as Well as Disturbances in Bone Metabolism and Mineralization in an Animal Model of Secondary Osteoporosis in Clostridium perfringens Infection.

There is no information regarding whether changes in the microbiological balance of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of an infection with Clostridium perfringens influence the development of metabolic bone disorders. The experiment was carried out on male broiler chickens divided into two groups: control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 10). The experimental animals were infected with Clostridium perfringens between 17 and 20 days of age. The animals were euthanized at 42 days of age. The structural parameters of the trabecular bone, cortical bone, and hyaline cartilage as well as the mineralization of the bone were determined. The metabolism of the skeletal system was assessed by determining the levels of bone turnover markers, hormones, and minerals in the blood serum. The results confirm that the disturbed composition of the gastrointestinal microflora has an impact on the mineralization and metabolism of bone tissue, leading to the structural changes in cortical bone, trabecular bone, and hyaline cartilage. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that changes in the microenvironment of the gastrointestinal tract by infection with C. perfringens may have an impact on the earlier development of osteoporosis.

FAT TISSUE AND SYNTHESIZED BY HER ADIPOKINES AS MARKERS INDICATING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS.

Arthrosis as osteoarthritis is a global problem that affects more and more people and is associated with severe chronic pain, reduced mobility and, consequently, disability. The etiology of degenerative disease is complex and depends on many factors. However, its course was not fully understood. One of the factors affecting the development of arthrosis is obesity. Obesity is a growing problem. Over the past 30 years, the number of overweight people has almost doubled. In people suffering from obesity, whose body mass index is above 30kg/m2, the risk of developing degenerative changes in articular cartilage is six times higher than the risk of developing this disease in people with normal body weight. Osteoarthritis is detected when the symptoms get worse where the changes are already at some stage. Therefore, a lot of research is currently underway to find suitable biomarkers, which would indicate the potential development of degenerative changes in the future and at the same time the possibility of inhibiting their activity. One of them may be adipokines, which are synthesized by adipose tissue and affect cartilage. In obese people, adipokines may contribute to the inflammation of the low charterer, whichaccompanies both obesity and arthrosis. These compounds can be specific biomarkers to assess the degree of progression and severity of osteoarthritis. The aim: To assess the importance of obesity and adipokines produced by adipose tissue as specific markers of arthrosis.

DISORDERS OF THE INTESTINAL FLORA AND IT IS EFFECT ON SKELETAL SYSTEM DISEASES.

The intestinal microflora plays an important role in the proper functioning of human. It is complex, diverse and dynamic ecosystem that constantly strives to maintain homeostasis throughout the body. The process of acquiring intestinal microflora begins immediately after human birth. Elementary factors that determine the modification of the composition of the microflora are age, sex, diet, lifestyle. Determinate individual composition of the microflora. Microorganisms inhabiting the intestine perform various functions, from metabolic, immune to trophic. Early changes in the intestinal microflora are reflected in the state of human health. Recently, many studies have been carried out confirming the hypothesis that the bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract affects the normal metabolism of bone tissue, and disorders in its composition can lead to the appearance of bumps in the processes of physiological remodeling of bone tissue and contribute to the formation of many inflammations. Microorganisms that rot in the digestive tract regulate bone metabolism through three mechanisms: the impact on the immune system, the hormonal system and the impact on the absorption of minerals. Disorders in the microflora of the digestive tract can lead to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases, and as a consequence to the accelerated development of osteoporosis or arthrosis of the joints. The aim: To collect available publications confirming the impact of microflora on the skeletal system.

TOTAL SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY, AN OVERVIEW, INDICATINS AND PROSTHETIC OPTIONS.

Shoulder arthroplasty (SA) has improved significantly over the last twenty years. It offers the effective treatment for patients with severe shoulder dysfunctions. The indicationsfor this procedure have recently expanded tremendously. However, the most common are glenohumeral osteoarthritis, inflammatory shoulder arthropathies, rotator cuff-tear arthropathy, complex fractures of the proximal humerus and osteonecrosis of a humeral head. There is range of the procedures, such as resurfacing of humeral head, anatomictotal shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. All of them could significantly improve patients quality of life. The outcomes of the shoulder arthroplasty are very satisfying in terms of pain relief and considerable improvements in shoulder function as well as in motion. However, this procedure is not so popular as knee or hip arthroplasties. The reasons for this phenomenon are not clear. The complication rate is considerably low. The most common are periprosthetic fractures, infections, implant loosening and instability. The reasonable solution is a conversion to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. The survivorship of the prosthesis is up to 12 years, which is acceptable by patients. Long term result are still not clear. Surgeons performing SA opt for deltopectoral approach which provides good exposure of the joint also for revisions. The aim: To summarize knowledge about SA based on current literature.

The effect of bee pollen on bone biomechanical strength and trabecular bone histomorphometry in tibia of young Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

It has been demonstrated in numerous studies that bee pollen supplementation shows numerous positive effects on health. However, its impact on bones is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bee pollen supplementation on the tibia biomechanical properties and bone morphometric measures using Japanese quail as an animal model. The experiment was arranged in a 2x2x2 factorial design, with sex, quail line (meat-type or egg-lying type), and bee pollen inclusion (0 or 10 g/kg of feed) as factors. The quails were one-day-old at the beginning of the experiment, they were euthanized after 42 days. Our study showed for the first time unfavorable effects of bee pollen on bones properties. Bee pollen supplementation negatively affected bone structure, irrespective of quails' sex or line type. Bone length (P < 0.001), weight (P < 0.01), and mean relative wall thickness (P < 0.01) and mineralization (P < 0.05) were reduced by bee pollen treatment. For female quails, irrespective of line type, the decrease of yield load (P < 0.001), ultimate load (P < 0.01), yield stress (P < 0.001) and ultimate stress (P < 0.05) was noted. Analysis of growth plate in bone metaphysis showed that bee pollen supplementation slowed the process of bone maturation irrespective of sex (P < 0.05). On contrary, dietary bee pollen positively affected bone homeostasis of trabecular bone in bone metaphysis as bone mineral density increased in experimental groups (P < 0.05). In males, this was the result of the increase of trabecular thickness (P < 0.01), in females due to the reduction of trabecular space (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that bee pollen (1.0%, 10 g/kg of feed) supplementation caused significant negative effects on the mechanical endurance of the tibia of quails, while showed beneficial effects on trabecular bone histomorphometry.

Maternal HMB treatment affects bone and hyaline cartilage development in their weaned piglets via the leptin/osteoprotegerin system.

It has been demonstrated in animal studies that prenatal administration of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB, metabolite of leucine) influences general growth and mechanical endurance of long bones in newborn offspring in sex-dependent manner. The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of HMB treatment of pregnant sows on bone development in offspring at weaning. From 70th day until the 90th day of gestation, sows received either a basal diet (n = 12) or the same diet supplemented with HMB (n = 12) at the dose of 0.2 g/kg of body weight/day. Femora obtained from six males and females in each group weaned at the age of 35 days were examined. Maternal HMB treatment significantly enhanced body weight and changed bone morphology increasing femur mechanical strength in both sexes. Maternal HMB supplementation also elevated bone micro- and macroelement concentrations and enhanced content of proteoglycans in articular cartilage. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that maternal HMB supplementation in the mid-gestation period significantly accelerated bone development in both sexes by upregulation of a multifactorial system including leptin and osteoprotegerin. However, the sex (irrespective of the HMB treatment) was the factor which influenced the collagen structure in cartilages and trabecular bone, as demonstrated both by the Picrosirius red staining and performed analysis of thermal stability of collagenous tissues. The structural differences in collagen between males and females were presumably related to a different collagen maturity. No studies conducted so far provided a detailed morphological analysis of bone, articular cartilage, growth plate and the activities of the somatotropic and pituitary-gonadal axes, as well as leptin/osteoprotegerin system in weaned offspring prenatally treated with HMB. This study showed also the relationship between the maternal HMB treatment and bone osteometric and mechanical traits, hormones, and growth and bone turnover markers such as leptin, osteoprotegerin and insulin-like growth factor-1.

Analysis of bone osteometry, mineralization, mechanical and histomorphometrical properties of tibiotarsus in broiler chickens demonstrates a influence of dietary chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) inclusion as a primary protein source.

This study was focused on analyzing the effects of dietary inclusion of raw chickpea seed as a replacement of soybean meal as a primary protein source on bone structure in broiler chickens. Broiler chickens (n = 160) received in their diet either soybean meal (SBM) or raw chickpea seeds (CPS) as a primary protein source throughout the whole rearing period (n = 80 in each group). On the 42th day randomly selected chickens from each group (n = 8) were slaughtered. Collected tibiotarsus were subjected to examination of the biomechanical characteristics of bone mid-diaphysis, microstructure of the growth plate and articular cartilages; the analysis of mineral content and crystallinity of mineral phase, and the measurements of thermal stability of collagen in hyaline cartilage were also carried out. The inclusion of chickpea seeds resulted in increase of bone osteometric parameters (weight, length and mid-diaphysis cross-sectional area) and mechanical endurance (yield load, ultimate load, stiffness, Young modulus). However, when loads were adjusted to bone shape (yield and ultimate stress) both groups did not differ. Mineral density determined by means of densitometric measurements did not differ between groups, however the detailed analysis revealed the differences in the macro- and microelements composition. The results of FT-IR and XRD analyses showed no effect of diet type on mineral phase crystallinity and hydroxyapatite nanocrystallites size. In trabecular bone, the increase of real bone volume (BV/TV) and number of trabeculae was observed in the CPS group. Total thickness of articular cartilage was the same in both groups, save the transitional zone, which was thicker in the SBM group. The total thickness of the growth plate cartilage was significantly increased in the CPS group. The area of the most intense presence of proteoglycans was wider in the SBM group. The structural analysis of fibrous components of bone revealed the increase of fraction of thin, immature collagen content in articular cartilage, trabeculae and compact bone in the CPS group. The dietary inclusion of CPS affected the thermal stability of collagen, as decrease of net denaturation enthalpy was observed. This study showed a beneficial effect of CPS on the skeletal development, improving the overall bone development and the microarchitecture of cancellous bone. It suggests that CPS can be a promising replacement for SBM in broilers feeding in the aspect of animal welfare related to the development of the skeletal system.