Bone mineralization in boars of two commercial sow lines using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry

The mineralization of the ‘os metacarpale quartum’ of 38 performance tested boars of two commercial sow lines was studied by comparing dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and chemical/ spectroscopic analysis. There exists no significant difference between the two sow lines for DXA bone mineral density (g/cm2), DXA bone mineral percentage, and for ash content (g/1000 g) at the time of slaughter. However, both lines differ significantly – with higher values for line 03 – in the dry matter percentage, raw fat content (g/1000 g), and in the Ca:P ratio. High relations exist – expectedly – between DXA bone mineral percentage and ash content (g/1000 g) or Ca+P content (g/1000 g original bone mass) with R2= 0.81 and R2=0.83 respectively, while the P content (g/1000 g original bone mass) explains approx. 76 % of the variation in the DXA bone mineral density (g/cm2). DXA is a suitable and quick method to provide an exact measurement of the bone mineralization in pigs, though DXA cannot distinguish between Ca and P or other mineral components of the bone.

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