Microstructure of Holstein and Gir breed adult bovine hooves: histomorphometry, three-dimensional microtomography and microhardness test evaluation

Abstract

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

Characterization of ruminal acidosis and initial phase of laminitis inducted by oligofructose in crossbred calves

“…In the present study, crossbred animals (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) were used. It is possible that the same protocol of induction in zebu animals reveals a different result considering histological differences of the hoof (Mendonça et al 2003, Rabelo et al 2015 and metabolic differences in relation to ruminal acidosis (Ortolani et al 2010).…”

“…Zebu and their crosses account for a large part of the national herd, and laminitis is cited as a health problem in these animals, both for milk aptitude (Mendes et al 2013) as for meat production (Oliveira & Millen 2014). It is known that zebu and taurine can respond differently to experimental induction of ruminal acidosis (Ortolani et al 2010) and that they have microscopic differences in the structure of the hooves (Mendonça et al 2003, Rabelo et al 2015. It is assumed that these differences could also be reflected in laminitis.…”

Microstructure and Hardness of Buffalo's Hoofs

“…Sample fragments measuring 10 × 10 mm were collected in duplicated samples, one in the horizontal direction and one transversal in relation to the hoof`s keratinized tissue at the dorsal wall, abaxial wall and pre‐bulbar sole in the medial third of the medial digits of the thoracic limbs and the lateral digits of the pelvic limbs. For the 2D and 3D microtomography and Vickers nanohardness evaluations, the sampled material was prepared, ensuring the removal of soft tissue and dirt, and then placed in plastic containers, which were labelled and frozen at −15°C (Rabelo et al, ). For the analysis purposes of 2D and 3D microtomography and nanohardness test, the samples were previously thawed at room temperature.…”

“…However, there is a lack of information on the hoof microstructure, hardness and hoof capsule resistance in buffalo and other ruminants. (Rabelo et al, ) Two‐dimensional microtomography allows the evaluation of the microstructure, which using X‐ray attenuation differences makes possible the estimative of the density variation of the material. Thus, it is possible to differentiate the density of the analysed material based on a colorimetric scale using DataViewer ® software.…”

Microtomographic Parameters and Nanoindentation of the Hoof of Girolando Cattle

“…The use of advanced scientific techniques of investigation that have already been used in other domains, for instance, physics, chemistry, geology, mechanical and construction engineering, dentistry and orthopaedics appears as a unique tool for agrarian sciences, especially veterinary medicine. This innovation seems to be promising for the understanding of the microstructure and of the factors related to resistance and quality of the hoof capsule of bovine digits (Assis, ; Rabelo et al., ).…”