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

Abstract

The diversity between the ruminants' digits makes it necessary to study the anatomical features in all these animals. For this purpose, the left forelimb and hind limb of Brazilian male bovine breeds (Curraleira, n=15; Pantaneira, n=15; Nellore, n=15) and water buffaloes (n=12) were used. Dorsopalmar/plantar radiographies were obtained. Then they were photographed, digitalized and analyzing by computer program ImageJ software. The lengths of the condyles (LC), first (P1), second (P2), third phalanges (P3), and the overall length (OL) of the digits, on the forefeet (FF) and hind feet (HF) were determined. The LC, P1, P2, P3 and OL of the digits were similar in the Curraleira and Pantaneira breeds in the FF and HF. In Nellore, the lengths of all bone measurements were greater than the bone lengths of the Curraleira and Pantaneira. No differences for LC and P1 lengths between Nellore and Buffaloes were observed. The buffaloes showed the lengths of the P2, P3 and OL greater than the bone measurements of all bovine breeds. No statistical differences between lateral and medial digits, of the FF and HF, were seen in bovines and buffaloes. Nevertheless, it was interesting to observe that the lateral digits appeared some millimeters greater, in Curraleira (FF=2.4 mm, HF=0.8 mm), Pantaneira (FF=0.7 mm, HF=1.1 mm), Nellore (FF=0.7 mm, HF=1.6 mm) and buffaloes (FF=0.2 mm, HF=0.9 MM). The lateral forefoot condyles were longer than medial forefoot condyles in all animals. A higher correlation between the length of P3 and the body weight in the hind foot of buffaloes was seen. Canonical analysis demonstrated similarity between the bovine digits and proved that buffalo digits were longer than in all bovines. The lengths of the digital bones are different among Curraleira, Pantaneira and Nellore breeds, and Buffaloes.

Length of metacarpal and metatarsal bones in five Iranian sheep breeds and their associations with ungula measurements

“…These differences are likely due to the size/weight of the animals as bigger/ heavier breeds such as Kurdi and Lori-Bakhtiari generally had longer bones than smaller/lighter breeds. These findings are in concordance with those reported by Silva el at [ 16 ] of a positive association between bone length and body weight in cattle. However, as body weight was not recorded in the present study, further investigation is required regarding the associations between metapodial bones measurements and body weight in sheep.…”

“…Differences were observed between the five sheep breeds for all bone measurements which is similar to results previously reported in cattle after slaughter [ 16 , 23 ]. These differences are likely due to the size/weight of the animals as bigger/ heavier breeds such as Kurdi and Lori-Bakhtiari generally had longer bones than smaller/lighter breeds.…”

“…Under the conditions of this study, we did not observe asymmetry between the lateral and medial side of bone and caput measurements in any of the sheep breeds except for Afshari sheep, where a tendency was observed. Our results are contrary of previous reports in cattle having longer lateral caput and metapodial bones [ 12 ] but similar to the findings reported by Nourinezhad et al [ 16 , 26 ] in water buffalos. Symmetric bones could contribute to distribute weight equally between the lateral and medial phalanges and ungula while walking or standing and thus, ultimately contributing to better health of the ungula by reducing the likelihood of developing lesions in the ungula.…”

“…The reasons for this are unknown but it has been hypothesised that it could be due to a difference in length of the lateral and medial metacarpal and metatarsal capita. Previous studies reported that lateral capita were longer than medial capita in cattle [ 12 – 14 ] and buffaloes [ 15 , 16 ] with indications of noticeable differences in metacarpal and metatarsal bone characteristics between breeds [ 16 , 17 ]. Additionally, positive correlations are reported between the length of the capita and length and width of the ungula in cows and calves [ 12 , 18 ] suggesting that these anatomical differences could explain, to some extent, the higher predisposition of the lateral digit to diseases [ 14 ].…”