Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.A021
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, A021 (2023)
The resistance and development changes in the limb bones of Zatorska geese during first fourteen weeks of life
Cezary Osiak-Wicha1*, Ewa Tomaszewska2, Siemowit Muszyński3, Piotr Dobrowolski4, Krzysztof Andres5, Tomasz Schwarz6, Marcin B. Arciszewski1
1 Department of Animal Anatomy and Histology, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 12, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
3 Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
4 Department of Functional Anatomy and Cytobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
5 Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture, Mickiewicza Alley 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
6 Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Ethology, University of Agriculture, Mickiewicza Alley 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
* Corresponding author: cezary.wicha@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
The skeletal system of young animals undergoes a series of intensive and rapid changes which, if disturbed, can lead to defects in older age. Developmental disorders, especially skeletal disorders, have been observed for a long time in intensively reared domestic fowl, such as chickens. In this study, we focused on evaluating the mechanical properties and geometry of the geese bones, more specifically the humerus as the forelimb bone, and the tibia as the hindlimb bone. This species was chosen because of its breeding method, and the lack of thorough research on its skeletal system at a young age. In geese, the free-range farming method is used due to their need for access to both water and ground, and intensive feeding is introduced much later. For these reasons, bone development at a young age in geese is the most physiological of all domestic birds. The 420 geese used in this study were divided into 12 groups according to the sex (females and males) and the age (0-,1-,3-,6-,8-,12-,14-week-old). Each group included 5 birds in 6 replications. A three-point bending test was performed using the Zwick Z010 machine, along with densitometry and morphological measurements. During the observation, in addition to the expected physiological growth, an interesting phenomenon was observed, which can be considered the result of the aforementioned method of breeding geese. The geese supporting bones (tibia) showed the most intensive growth until about 6 weeks of age, and then stabilized. The wing bones (humerus), on the other hand, showed only slight changes in the first weeks of life after hatching, and then a rapid growth between 3rd and 6th week, both in terms of mechanical and morphological properties. The reason is most likely a change in the geese’s living environment during this period, i.e. letting them out of their enclosures into the open space, which gives them the opportunity to use their wings and develop their pectoral muscles. As a result of this is the preparation of the wing bones to support the rapidly increasing muscle mass in this area.
*This research was supported by the National Centre for Research and Development, Poland (grant “ENERGYFEED”; grant number: BIOSTRATEG2/297910/12/NCBR/2016).
How to cite
C. Osiak-Wicha, E. Tomaszewska, S. Muszyński, P. Dobrowolski, K. Andres, T. Schwarz, M.B. Arciszewski, 2023. The resistance and development changes in the limb bones of Zatorska geese during first fourteen weeks of life. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.A021