RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE OSSIFICATION CENTERS OF PELVIC LIMBS AFTER HATCHING IN PARTRIDGE

Abstract

The ossification centers and skeletal development of the pelvic limbs after hatching in partridge (Alectoris chukar) from day one to 98 days were studied by digital radiography. Alizarin Red S staining method was used to confirm the radiographic diagnosis in this study. The head of the femur was seen on day 28. The ossification of the patella was observed on day 49. In Alizarin-staining specimen, a ossification center was seen in the proximal epiphysis of tibia on day 28. The ossification centers of the tarsal region were seen from the first day. Fusion occurred between proximal tarsal bones and tibia on day 63. Distal tarsal bone fused with metatarsals on day 77. It seems that the appearance sequence of ossification centers in birds belonging to the Galliformes order is the same. And the difference between them is the time of the appearance of ossification centers. The use of digital radiography and Alizarin Red S staining simultaneously provided a set of benefical information for the further study on the skeletal development of partridge.