Effect of biotin supplementation on hoof health and ceramide composition in dairy cattle

Abstract

The effect of biotin supplementation on various foot lesions and hoof ceramide composition of toe (wall) and sole portions of hooves was studied in crossbred dairy cattle. Biotin supplementation was done for five months in 14 cattle at a farm and the other 14 animals kept as control. A significant decline was observed in heel erosions and sole avulsions along with total disappearance of white line fissures and double soles in the biotin supplemented cattle resulting in decrease in the overall disease score. Thin layer chromatographs of the hoof lipids revealed 11 types of ceramides in sole lipids and 6 types of ceramides in toe (wall) lipids. The ceramides were typed and identified according to their Rf values. A qualitative increase in the density of thin layer chromatographs of sole lipids was observed in biotin supplemented cattle whereas a non-significant difference in density of thin layer chromatographs of toe lipids was observed after supplementation of biotin.

Relationship of lameness to body condition score, udder health and milk quality in crossbred dairy cattle

“…The rear leg view index of each animal was observed as normal (score 0) when there was no inward knuckling of the hocks when seen from the rear and as cow hock (score 1) when there was inward knuckling of the hocks observed from the rear (RANDHAWA et al, 2008). Body condition score was evaluated on a five-point scale as described by FERGUSON et al (1994).…”

The effect of topical application of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Martius) Coville extract and oral biotin supplementation on recovery of wounds from digital dermatitis surgery

“…However, despite the production of a better quality corneal tissue due to biotin, the environmental hygiene conditions to which the animals were exposed remained unchanged. A similar justification was presented by Randhawa et al (2008) upon observation that the supplementation with biotin did not influence recovery of the more severe lesions in the hoof; however, the authors did not relate this to the deficit in environmental hygiene. The period during which the animals were supplemented with biotin must also be considered.…”

“…Bergsten et al (2003) observed the positive effect of biotin supplementation on the production of milk, and the reduction of digital lesions in dairy cows. Randhawa et al (2008) evaluated the intensity and prevalence of several digital lesions in a single group of dairy cows prior to and after supplementation with biotin. These researchers proposed the prevention and treatment of foot lesions with biotin to be due to its participation in protein synthesis, which enhances the keratinization of epidermal adnexa, including the hoof corneal case.…”

“…It also plays an important role in the control of production rate and deposition of proteins like keratin, and is essential for the normal differentiation of the epidermal tissue (aiding in the formation of skin and tissues), and for keratinization of the hoof and horn (CAMPBELL et al, 2000;FITZGERALD et al, 2000;HIGUCHI et al, 2004;KORNEGAY, 1986;ZIMMERLY;WEISS, 2001). Supplementation with biotin promotes greater growth (than wear) on the hoof (SILVA et al, 2010a) and assists in the healing and prevention of digital diseases in several species of animals (CAMPBELL et al, 2000;FITZGERALD et al, 2000;KORNEGAY, 1986;RANDHAWA et al, 2008). Biotin is reported to improve milk production and composition in dairy bovines, increase the fertility of cows (FITZGERALD et al, 2000;HIGUCHI et al, 2004;SEYMOUR, 2001;ZIMMERLY;WEISS, 2001), and aid in maintaining the health of hooves in beef cattle (CAMPBELL et al, 2000).…”

Violets between Cherry Blossoms. The diffusion of classical motifs to the East : traces in Japanese art : fictions, conjectures, facts

“…II, 347, 348, 350, 416, 430, 466. 63 Cf. for example Randhawa and Randhawa 1985; also Khandalavala 1991 provides a useful survey, from which the paucity of the floating celestials in Mathurān art in this period may be derived 64 Grünwedel 191265 Juliano 2001Tucker 2003, 155; The margin for error with carbon dating leaves a 4th century dating viable. This seems more in accord with other evidence (oral information by Dr. Kurt Behrendt)…”