Fusarium-induced osteochondrosis (tibial dyschondroplasia) in chickens.

Broiler chickens were started and maintained on rations containing 2%, 5%, and 10% grain contaminated with Fusarium roseum. There was mortality of 75% and 100%, respectively, in chicks fed 5% and 10% levels, and osteochondrosis was present in chicks which died at 12 to 17 days of age. Chicks on 2% or 3% F. roseum-contaminated grain survived the experimental period and osteochondrosis was well-developed in the proximal tibias of 85 or 99% of these chicks. The number of chondroclasts was reduced markedly in the affected bones. Defective chondroclasis may play a role in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis associated with F. roseum.