Fechamento das fises falangeanas de potros da raça Crioula mantidos em sistema extensivo de criação

Abstract

The objectives of the present dissertation were to characterize the period of closure of the distal bone growth plates in Crioulo foals and if they presented medial-lateral imbalance of beads and / or compensatory deviation of the first phalanx. For this purpose, four Crioulo foals were used, presenting ages between one and 11 months, of both sexes, and the results are presented in two articles. In the first study, 71 foals were submitted to a radiographic study of the distal regions of the left anterior limb, comprising bone growth plates of the third metacarpal bones, first and second phalanges, where the bones of these bones are classified as open, partially closed or closed. The data were submitted to non-parametric and descriptive statistical analyzes. There was no effect of the sexes on the closure period of the distal bones and, on average, all bones presented complete consolidation at around nine months of age. At 247 days of life the physis of the second phalanx was closed, whereas the first phalanx and third metacarpal obliteration occurred at 262 days. In the second article, 67 foals were used, subjected to radiological exams of the fetlock region and measurement of the medial and lateral beads of the left anterior limb. Through the use of digital x-ray apparatus, the radiographic image generated was computerized, allowing the measurement of the lateral and medial edges of the first phalanx in centimeters. Also, the medial and lateral lugs of the left anterior limb were measured with tape measure in centimeters. The differences between the medial and lateral sides of both structures were determined and submitted to nonparametric and descriptive statistical analyzes. The evaluated foals did not present medial-lateral imbalance of beads nor compensatory phalangeal deviation. Also, the longitudinal development of the first phalanx was not related to bead biometry.