Length asymmetry of the bovine digits

Abstract

The lengths of the digital bones of the fore-and hind-limbs obtained post mortem from 40 cattle of different ages were measured using digital radiographs. The lengths of the individual digital bones and the overall length of the digit were determined using computer software. The lateral metacarpal/metatarsal condyle, and lateral P1 and P2 were significantly longer than their medial counterparts, whereas P3 of the medial digit was longer than its lateral partner. Measured from the cannon bone epiphysis to the tip of the pedal bone, the mean increased length of the lateral digit was 0.8 mm in the fore-and 1.5 mm in the hind-limb. When the lengths of the digital bones were summed, the mean length of the lateral digit was 1.8 mm longer in the fore-limb and 2.1 mm longer in the hindlimb. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the lengths of the paired digits differ in cattle. The majority of cattle have longer lateral digits in the fore-and hind-limbs. This asymmetry might explain why the lateral hind-limb claws are predisposed to sole ulcers on hard surfaces. In the hind-limbs, the impact is transferred from the pelvis directly to the longer lateral digit. In the fore-limb claws, the tenomuscular attachment to the trunk may be involved in a more even weight distribution and in a shift of weight to the medial claw. The lengths of the digital bones of the fore-and hind-limbs obtained post mortem from 17 40 cattle of different ages were measured using digital radiographs. The lengths of the indi-18 vidual digital bones and the overall length of the digit were determined using computer soft-19 ware. 20The lateral metacarpal/metatarsal condyle, and lateral P1 and P2 were significantly 21 longer than their medial counterparts, whereas P3 of the medial digit was longer than its lat-22 eral partner. Measured from the cannon bone epiphysis to the tip of the pedal bone, the mean 23 increased length of the lateral digit was 0.8 mm in the fore-and 1.5 mm in the hind-limb. 24When the lengths of the digital bones were summed, the mean length of the lateral digit was 25 1.8 mm longer in the fore-limb and 2.1 mm longer in the hind-limb. 26Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the lengths of the paired digits differ 27 in cattle. The majority of cattle have longer lateral digits in the fore-and hind-limbs. This 28 asymmetry might explain why the lateral hind-limb claws are predisposed to sole ulcers on 29 hard surfaces. In the hind-limbs, the impact is transferred from the pelvis directly to the long-30 er lateral digit. In the fore-limb claws, the tenomuscular attachment to the trunk may be in-31 volved in a more even weight distribution and in a shift of weight to the medial claw. 32 33

Length of condyles and phalanges of Brazilian bovines (Nellore, Pantaneira, Curraleira) and water buffaloes (Murrah Jafarabadi) measured by radiographic images: post-mortem study

“…The bone lengths established in the present study were close to the lengths observed in different breeds of bovine, by direct measurements (Ocal et al, 2004;Nacambo et al, 2007;Radisic et al, 2012) and radiographic measurements (Schwarzmann et al, 2007;Muggli et al, 2011). As well as, in buffalo bones (Nourinezhad et al, 2012) and in wild animal radiographies (Keller et al, 2009).…”

“…The Curraleira and Pantaneira measurements were similar to the measurements in Holstein male cattle (Ocal et al, 2004). The lengths of the Nellore bones were similar as those described by Muggli et al (2011) in heifers and steers of different breeds. For buffaloes, the mean values in our study were distinctively greater than the values of the Table 2.…”

“…By direct measurements, Ocal et al (2004) and Nourinezhad et al (2012) reported no differences between the lengths of the phalanges and the total lengths of the three phalanges within the left and right thoracic and pelvic limbs. However, using radiographic measurements of Schwarzmann et al (2007), Muggli et al (2011) and Keller et al (2009) described a lateral digit longer than medial.…”

“…Figure 1 outlines the length of the condyles (LC), length of proximal phalanx (P1), length of medial phalanx (P2), length of distal phalanx (P3) and the overall length (OL) for the medial digit (M) and lateral digit (L) in the forefeet (FF) and hind feet (HF). The measurements were done according to Schwarzmann et al (2007) and Muggli et al (2011).…”

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“…A ocorrência de pododermatite infecciosa está relacionada com pisos irregulares das instalações e tratamentos inadequados realizados por práticos despreparados (Romani et al, 2004). Estes autores mostraram também que a pododermatite infecciosa atinge com maior frequência os membros pélvicos e no trabalho de Molina et al (1999) mostrou-se que 66% das enfermidades digitais ocorreram nestes membros e esta se deve as diferenças anatômicas entre os dígitos dos membros pélvico e torácicos e entre os dígitos de cada membro (Muggli et al, 2011). Neste contexto, percebe-se que o conhecimento da biomecânica das diversas estruturas que compõem os dígitos é fundamental para o controle dos fatores determinantes e predisponentes que envolvam podopatias e claudicações dos bovinos leiteiros.…”