Final answer:
Pale muscle and associated clinical signs are likely caused by a deficiency in vitamin E or selenium. Both are essential for muscle health and their deficiency can lead to muscle wasting and heart issues. Vitamin D deficiency is also discussed, which affects bone health due to its role in calcium absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The likely cause of pale muscle and associated clinical signs is most commonly linked to vitamin E deficiency or selenium deficiency. Both vitamin E and selenium are important for muscle health. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant while selenium is a trace element that plays a critical role in muscle function. In animals, a deficiency in either may result in muscle wasting and weakness, which is referred to as white muscle disease or nutritional myodegeneration. This condition is characterized by pale, unhealthy muscles that may lead to heart failure.
Further, the provided information connects vitamin D deficiency to conditions such as rickets and osteomalacia, both of which affeact bone health. Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, and without it, individuals may suffer from weak, fragile bones. Conditions like hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia which are associated with vitamin D3 deficiency can lead to secondary clinical issues such as bone demineralization and associated disorders like osteoporosis.