Changes in feet and leg joint angles during first gestation in gilts divergently selected for residual feed intake

An abstract of a study by Stock et al evaluating the feet and leg joint angle changes measured during gestation using objective evaluation methods from lines that were divergently selected for residual feed intake is presented. Under the conditions of this study, differences in joint angles were observed as gestation progressed in gilts; however, such differences were minimal, and their biological relevance is unclear. Nonetheless, results suggest that life events such as gestation, lameness etiology, and genetic selection play a role in gilt structural changes.