Skeletal deformities and their causes: introduction.

Much has been done to characterize skeletal deformities in poultry and to identify the causes of these deformities. However, skeletal problems in poultry continue to cost poultry producers over $100 million per year. A basic understanding of bone growth and development is essential for continuous progress in solving current skeletal diseases. Although this research will be of great benefit to the poultry industry, the use of poultry models has proven valuable in studying human bone disease.