A permeability barrier in the dorsal wall of the equine hoof capsule.
Abstract: The permeability barrier in the dorsal wall of the equine hoof capsule was studied by means of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in 0.9 N saline solution as a water soluble tracer. Section were treated with 3'3'-diaminobenzidine tetrachloride (DAB) and before dissection the quality of the horn of feet from 10 horses was assessed and given a subjective grade as either good or poor. Blocks of tissue from each horse were left in either an oven at 60 degrees C or in water for 2 weeks before treatment in HRP, sectioning and DAB solution. Regions observed were i) outer surface, ii) outermost layers of the horn, iii) cut edge of the outer layer, iv) inner layer of horn, v) cut edge of the inner layer and vi) laminae. Horn deemed to be normal horn and of good 'quality' showed very slight penetration of HRP 3-5 cell layers deep in the outer layer. The cut edge of the outer layer of the wall of the 'normal' horn also showed minimal penetration of HRP through the intercellular spaces. The cut edge of the inner layers of the wall of normal, good quality horn showed penetration of the tracer up to 20 cell layers deep, with HRP in both the intercellular spaces and within the cells. In contrast, sections of horn from horses with brittle feet showed deep cracks in the outer surface into which the HRP had penetrated. Good quality horn showed no change in the position of the permeability barrier after soaking in water for 14 days, but the brittle horn showed an increase in permeability to HRP. In brittle horn, reaction product was seen deep within the section in the intercellular spaces of the intertubular horn only. Placing horn in an oven had no effect on the permeability barrier. The permeability barrier of the dorsal wall of the equine hoof capsule differs with the layer of the wall. Horn considered to be of poor quality had a weaker permeability barrier than horn of good quality.
Publication Date: 1999-02-05 PubMed ID: 9932089DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05117.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the permeability barrier in the dorsal wall of the equine hoof capsule, identifying that the quality of the horn from horse feet significantly impacts its permeability, particularly in instances of poor quality horn which had a weaker barrier.
Research Methodology
- The research conducted an experiment using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in a saline solution as a water-soluble tracer and 3’3′-diaminobenzidine tetrachloride (DAB) treatment to examine the permeability barrier in the dorsal wall of equine hoof capsules.
- Horn quality from 10 different horses was assessed and subjectively graded as either good or poor. Samples were collected from various regions of the hoof, including the outer surface, outermost layers of the horn, cut edge of the outer layer, inner layer of horn, cut edge of the inner layer and laminae.
- These tissue samples were left in either an oven at 60 degrees Celsius or soaked in water for two weeks before treated in HRP, sectioned and treated with DAB solution.
Key Findings
- The researchers observed that ‘normal’ horn, deemed of good quality, showed minor penetration of HRP, suggesting a strong permeability barrier.
- The inner wall layers of ‘normal’ good-quality horn allowed tracer penetration up to 20 cell layers deep, indicating a porous nature within the cells and intercellular spaces.
- On the contrary, horn sections from horses with brittle feet exhibited deep cracks in the outer layer, leading to major penetration of HRP, which indicates a less effective permeability barrier.
- Soaking good quality horn in water for two weeks did not impact the permeability barrier. However, soaking brittle horn under the same conditions resulted in an increased permeability to HRP.
- Heating the horn in an oven did not impact its permeability barrier, thereby ruling out heat as a significant factor in altering the permeability.
- The study concluded that the permeability barrier effectiveness varied based on the layer of the dorsal wall, and better-quality horn had a stronger permeability barrier as compared to horn of poorer quality.
Cite This Article
APA
Kempson SA, Campbell EH.
(1999).
A permeability barrier in the dorsal wall of the equine hoof capsule.
Equine Vet J Suppl(26), 15-21.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05117.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Desiccation
- Female
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Hoof and Claw / metabolism
- Horseradish Peroxidase
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / metabolism
- Hot Temperature
- Male
- Permeability
- Water / metabolism
Citations
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