Use of serum biomarkers to predict the development and severity of osteochondrosis lesions in the distal portion of the femur in pigs.

Objective: To evaluate the use of serum biomarkers of cartilage and bone metabolism to predict the occurrence and severity of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in the distal portion of the femur in growing swine.

Animals: 71 gilts.

Procedures: At an abattoir, serum samples for analysis of 10 biomarkers indicative of cartilage and bone metabolism were obtained prior to processing of the pigs.

The role of supplementary dietary antioxidants on immune response in puppies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementary antioxidants (AOX) and whey protein on the immune function health of puppies. Four groups of 10 puppies were fed a control and 3 different test foods (control + antioxidants (AOX), control + AOX + 1% whey protein, and a grocery brand (low AOX)) for 6 weeks. A standard vaccination protocol with a combination canine parvovirus (CPV) and distemper (CDV) vaccine was carried out at 2 and 4 weeks.