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.
Highlights
Given the challenges posed to cattle in the current production systems, hoof diseases have great relevance and are related to multifactorial causes
This study aimed to characterize and compare the aspects involved in the microstructural formation of Holstein and Gir breed bovine hoof by histomorphometry, three-dimensional microtomography and microhardness test techniques, evaluating the amount, thickness, length and the cells that make up the epidermal papillae, as well as the porosity of keratinized epidermis and its microhardness
When comparing the average lengths of C1H and C1G groups with the other groups, a significant difference (P
Summary
Given the challenges posed to cattle in the current production systems, hoof diseases have great relevance and are related to multifactorial causes. Among those causes, genetic, morphofunctional, infectious, nutritional and environmental aspects should be highlighted. Genetic, morphofunctional, infectious, nutritional and environmental aspects should be highlighted Their interference with cellular and biochemical events involved in the formation and maintenance of the hoof wall should be considered (Ferreira et al, 2005; Muelling, 2009, Mendes et al, 2013). The understanding of micro-structural, biochemical and mechanical resistance or microhardness aspects of the hoof wall are required in the search for tools that could bring improvements to the control and prevention of diseases affecting the cattle hooves
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