Protein deficiency in swine and use of opaque-2 corn to prevent changes in bone: Llight, fluorescence, and electron microscopy study

Bone structure of protein-deficient swine was studied by electron, fluorescence, and light microscopy and was compared with that of normal and opaque-2 corn-fed pigs. Serum cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase activity, and protein-bound iodine concentrations of the 3 groups were compared. In protein-deficient pigs, alkaline phosphatase activity and cholesterol concentrations were decreased and calcium, phosphorus, and protein-bound iodine values were within normal limits. In electron micrographs of normal bone there was evidence of a subcanalicular system separating the collagen fibers from the bone crystals located within the canicular system. The subcanalicular system was poorly developed in protein-deficient group, with the bone crystals being associated with the larger Volkmann-type canals. Opaque-2 corn-fed pigs had bone structure similar to that in the control pigs eng