This study aimed to characterize and compare the aspects involved in the microstructural formation of the Holstein and Gir breed hoof wall by histomorphometry, three-dimensional microtomography and microhardness test techniques. Seventy-two (18H/18G thoracic and 18H/18G pelvic) Holstein (H) and Gir (G) breed hooves were collected in slaughterhouses. The hooves were divided into six groups according to breed and age group: 24 to 36 months (C1H/C1G), 36 to 60 months (C2H/C2G) and over 60 months (C3H/C3G). The normality and homogeneity analysis of morphometric variables by the Kolmogrov-Sminov and Bartlett tests was conducted as a statistical model. Once the assumptions were met, the Sigmastat 3.5 software was used and the means were compared by T test. The 5% probability level is considered. When the assumptions were not met, the means were compared by the Mann-Whitney nonparametric test, considering the 5% probability level. When comparing the Holstein and Gir breeds, no differences were noticed between them as to the length of the dermal papillae; young animals showed thicker papillae than adult animals; the Holstein breed hooves showed higher amount of 7pores on the wall and on the sole compared to the Gir breed; Holstein cattle hooves showed greater microhardness than Gir cattle; there was no microhardness difference between pigmented and non-pigmented hooves of Holstein and Gir cattle.Keywords: diseases of cattle, digits, three-dimensional microtomography, dermal papillae, podiatry RESUMO O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar e comparar os aspectos envolvidos na formação microestrutural do estojo córneo de bovinos das raças Holandesa e Gir pelas técnicas de histomorfometria, microtomografia tridimensional e teste de microdureza. Foram coletados em frigoríficos, de forma igualitária entre as raças Holandesa (H) e Gir (G), 72 cascos (18H/18G torácicos e 18H/18G pélvicos). Os cascos foram divididos em seis grupos de acordo com a raça e a faixa etária: 24 a 36 meses, (C1H/C1G), 36 a 60 meses (C2H/C2G) e acima de 60 meses (C3H/C3G

The aim of this study was to describe the microstructure of hoof capsules of the buffalo. In addition, the study emphasized the morphometric aspects of the horn tubules, the Vickers nanohardness of the dorsal and abaxial walls and sole of the digits of the thoracic and pelvic limbs of the buffalo. The abaxial wall in the thoracic and pelvic digits showed larger diameter of the horn tubules when compared to all dorsal wall and sole. In addition, the abaxial wall of the thoracic digits showed larger diameter of the horn tubules when compared with the pelvic digits. According to the three-dimensional microtomography, the dorsal wall was higher in density compared with the abaxial wall. The latter exhibited an intermediate density, while the sole showed the lowest density. The Vickers nanohardness test showed that there was no difference in hardness and resistance between the experienced regions. However, the elastic modulus was greater on the transversal section of the hoof capsule. In conclusion, the results of the current study show that modern technologies such as microtomography and subsequent imaging can be used to investigate details of the basic morphology in different regions of the buffalo's hoof.

The aim of this study was to describe the microstructure of the pigmented and depigmented hoof capsule of Girolando cattle by bi- and tridimensional microtomography and nanoindentation, analysing the possible relation between these findings and the susceptibility of such animals to podal diseases. To carry out the microtomography and the nanoindentation, duplicated samples were collected from the dorsal wall, abaxial wall and pre-bulbar sole of the hoof capsule. Material collection was performed in 40 medial digits of thoracic limbs and 40 lateral digits of pelvic limbs. The bidimensional microtomography showed that the dorsal wall of the thoracic and pelvic limbs presented higher density, followed by the abaxial wall, and finally by the sole, with the lowest density. Moreover, the hoof capsule of cows of Girolando breed is a compact, non-porous material, and constituted by extratubular and intratubular keratin. By the tridimensional microtomography, it was possible to measure the angles of the corneal tubules in relation to the periople and the claws in the different regions of the hoof capsule, which were 90° for the dorsal wall, 55° for the abaxial wall and 70° for the sole. The tridimensional microtomography also showed corneal tubules of different diameters: 17, 51, 85, 119 and 153 μm. The nanoindentation test, when performed in different regions of the hoof capsule, did not reveal significant difference of Vickers hardness in the evaluated areas. However, we verified a larger elastic module of these regions on the transversal cut of the corneal tubules compared to the longitudinal cut.

The purpose of this study was to establish the biochemical parameters of the abaxial wall, dorsal wall and sole of the hoof of the medial thoracic, lateral, and medial pelvic digits of buffalos. The hoof samples were subjected to destructive biochemical analyses to identify the dry material (DM), mineral matter (MM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) contents. Sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels were determined based on nondestructive biochemical analyses. The parameters of dry material, mineral matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract of hoof capsule of the digits of buffalos can be determined by means of both destructive and nondestructive biochemical analysis. In addition, this study revealed that the highest concentrations of DM, CP and minerals such as, K, Zn and Cu are concentrated in the digits that bear the greatest body mass weight, suggesting that there is a positive correlation between the aforementioned parameters and the strength and growth of the hoof capsule in the digits. As for the element S, this study demonstrated that its highest concentration is located in the lateral digits of the pelvic members.Keywords: buffaloes, keratinized epidermis, minerals, crude protein RESUMO O presente estudo objetivou estabelecer os parâmetros bioquímicos da muralha abaxial, muralha dorsal e sola do casco dos dígitos torácico medial e pélvico lateral dos bubalinos. Foram realizadas analises bioquímicas destrutivas das amostras dos cascos para se obterem os teores de matéria seca (MS), matéria mineral (MM), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB) e extrato etéreo (EE). As análises bioquímicas não destrutivas foram empregadas para se avaliarem os níveis de enxofre (S), cálcio (Ca), potássio (K), fósforo (P), zinco (Zn) e cobre (Cu

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily biotin supplementation on the mineral composition and microstructure of the abaxial hoof wall in dairy heifers. The heifers were housed on a concrete floor and fed for weight gain more than 800 g per day, which is a challenging environment for the hoof. Twelve crossbred dairy heifers (Jersey × Holstein) were divided into two treatment groups. Animals in the control group (n = 6) received a diet without supplemental biotin, while the heifers in the biotin‐supplemented feed group (n = 6) each received 20 mg of biotin daily for 120 days. Samples of the abaxial hoof wall were collected from the outer claw of the fore and hind limb, before and after supplementation. The samples were evaluated by X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, computed microtomography, atomic force microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biotin supplementation increased the sulphur content and decreased the calcium and potassium content in the abaxial hoof wall. Biotin treatment also increased the percentage of horn tubules with smaller diameter marrow (17–51 µm). However, biotin did not influence the surface relief of the hoof wall, suggesting that its action is limited to the inner layers of the stratum corneum. Daily supplementation with 20 mg of biotin promoted changes in the mineral composition and microstructure of abaxial hoof wall of crossbred dairy heifers. These findings suggest biotin supplementation improves hoof quality and may help to understand the function of biotin in the stratum corneum.

Apesar da importância de se conhecerem os dados epidemiológicos sobre as enfermidades que acometem a genitália externa de touros, poucas investigações têm sido conduzidas sobre o tema. Este trabalho objetiva realizar um estudo epidemiológico de enfermidades diagnosticadas na genitália externa de touros, em 215 propriedades rurais distribuídas nas cinco mesorregiões do Estado de Goiás, Brasil, entre os anos de 2007 e 2013. Pôde-se notar que o maior número de casos foi verificado na mesorregião do sudoeste goiano (64%), seguida do noroeste de Goiás (18,5%). Verificou-se que, dos touros afetados, 156 (71,89%) eram zebuínos, 47 (21,66%) taurinos e 14 (6,45%) mestiços. Dentre as enfermidades, a acropostite-fimose se destacou, seguida do fibropapiloma de glande, abscesso prepucial e fratura peniana. Confirmaram-se como fatores de risco, aspectos multifatoriais, com destaque para a condição morfológicas dos animais, ambiente, manejo e os traumas. Em muitos casos, a ausência ou o número insuficiente de médicos veterinários capacitados que atuam no campo foi mencionado como um dos principais pontos de estrangulamento para a realização do diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção das enfermidades, o que evitaria o descarte prematuro dos animais.

RESUMODentre as enfermidades que acometem a genitália externa de touros, a acropostitefimose merece destaque. Em alguns casos, pode-se diagnosticar severo comprometimento da mucosa do folheto prepucial interno o que pode inviabilizar a cirurgia. Dentre as complicações, quando se opta pelo ato operatório, o comprometimento da extremidade livre do pênis não tem sido apontado como sequela frequente. Este trabalho objetiva descrever os achados clínicos e histopatológicos, de um caso incomum de estenose e fibrose do folheto prepucial interno com consequente necrose da extremidade livre do pênis, como intercorrência após a cirurgia de acropostite-fimose. Durante o procedimento foram colhidos fragmentos das áreas lesionadas para exame histopatológico. Não foi possível efetuar a correção cirúrgica da fimose prepucial, sendo a amputação de um segmento peniano necessária. O procedimento foi respaldado pelos achados histopatológicos, confirmando a gravidade do caso. O laudo histopatológico revelou glande com áreas focalmente extensas e superficiais de necrose, dentre outros achados. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Bovinos, genitália externa, impotência coeundi, reprodutores. NECROSIS OF THE FREE END OF THE PENIS AS COMPLICATION OF ACROPOSTITIS-PHIMOSIS IN BULLABSTRACT Among the diseases that affect the external genitalia of bulls the acropostitephimosis deserves emphasi. In some cases can be diagnosed severe mucosal involvement of the internal leaflet preputial which can cripple surgery. Among the complications, when opting for surgery, is the compromising the free end of the penis that has not been appointed as common sequela. This paper aims to describe the clinical and histopathological findings of an unusual case of stenosis and fibrosis of

Comparative study of biotin supplementation on weight gain and occurrence of digital diseases in cattle (Bos taurus x Bos indicus)* Estudo comparativo da suplementação com biotina sobre o ganho de peso e ocorrência de enfermidades digitais em bovinos (Bos taurus x Bos indicus