Effect of biotin supplementation on hoof growth of Angora and Cashmere goats

Abstract

Biotin is a water soluble vitamin, essential for post-absorptive metabolism in animals. A deficiency of the biotin has been associated with poor hoof horn formation in farm animals (Brooks et al., 1977). Biotin may be supplied from the diet or by microorganisms in the digestive tract. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary biotin supplementation on hoof growth and composition of hoof horn in goats (a) during pre-ruminant milk-feeding and (b) following the development of rumination and exposure to microorganisms in the digestive tract.