Evolution avec l'âge de la résistance mécanique des os chez le lapin*

Influence of slaughter age on the mechanical properties of rabbit bones in relation with carcass quality. Age effects on mechanical characteristics were assessed in femurs and tibias of 49, 66, 91, 112 and 147 day-old rabbits. Area moment of inertia and bending moment of the femur and tibia increased with age (P<0.001) between 49 and 112 days of age. Stress and modulus of elasticity did not show any simple age-related variation. It was concluded that the age related increase of yield strength can be explained by the corresponding size increase of bone and that intrinsic bone material characteristics did not change between 49 and 147 days of age.