Abstract
In birds, bone development is distinct and there is no radiographically obvious growth plate. Radiographic densitometry (RD) has been used to evaluate and measure bone density. Fifty-four one day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica), of both sexes, were used. Every three days, two animals were weighed, identified, euthanized and x-rayed. A 21-step aluminum step wedge was used for densitometric measurements. The length of the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus was measured. Bone density increased as the bones grew in length in humerus followed by tibiotarsus, ulna and femur between 7 and 13 days of age. The humerus and femur increased also between 70-79 days. From day 61 it was possible to identify polyostotic hyperostosis in female femurs. Radiographic densitometry is an accessible and low cost method applicable in C. japonica. The results confirm a large mineral deposition increasing during growth and also during the laying phase, confirming the presence of polyostotic hyperostosis in this specie.
Keywords:
avian; bone density; bone growth; fisis; growth
