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Biological trace element research2025; doi: 10.1007/s12011-025-04952-z

Comparison of the Level of Mineral Components in the Hoof Wall of Pure-Breed Arabian Horses and Polish Sport Horses.

Abstract: Research on the characteristics of the mineral profile of hooves can help prevent overgrowth or micro-cracks. Knowledge about the interaction of these elements shows how imbalances can lead to hoof pathology or suboptimal hoof quality. Sulphur plays a key role in keratin synthesis, contributing to hoof elasticity and strength. Iron is involved in oxygen transport to the hoof matrix cells, supporting proper metabolism and tissue regeneration. Zinc promotes keratinocyte differentiation and accelerates healing of micro-injuries within the horn structure. Copper is essential for the formation of disulfide bonds in keratin, ensuring the integrity and hardness of the hoof horn. Calcium affects cellular cohesion and mineralization of the horn matrix, stabilizing the horn structure at the microscopic level. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of gender and breed of horses on the content of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca and S and their mutual correlations in hooves. Samples from 22 Polish sport horses (11 mares and 11 geldings) and 24 purebred Arabian horses (11 mares and 13 geldings) were tested. The collected tissue was washed and subjected to wet mineralization. Metal content was analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry, while S content was measured via the Bardsley-Lancaster method. Results showed significantly higher Ca and Zn levels in Arabian horses, while Polish sport horses had higher Cu content. Significant gender differences were observed only for S in Polish sport horses. Correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between Ca and Zn in Polish sport horses (p = 0.0208) and Ca and Fe in Arabians (p = 0.0118).
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Publication Date: 2025-12-24 PubMed ID: 41436706PubMed Central: 8936798DOI: 10.1007/s12011-025-04952-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigated the mineral composition of the hoof walls in two horse breeds, pure-breed Arabian horses and Polish sport horses, focusing on how breed and gender influence levels of zinc, copper, iron, calcium, and sulfur.
  • Understanding these mineral profiles can help in preventing hoof problems by guiding care that maintains hoof strength and health.

Introduction and Background

  • The hoof’s health is dependent on a balanced mineral composition which affects its strength, elasticity, and resilience.
  • Specific minerals play critical roles:
    • Sulfur (S): Essential for keratin synthesis, contributing to hoof elasticity and strength.
    • Iron (Fe): Involved in oxygen transport to hoof cells, aiding metabolism and tissue regeneration.
    • Zinc (Zn): Supports keratinocyte differentiation and accelerates healing of micro-injuries in the horn.
    • Copper (Cu): Needed for disulfide bond formation in keratin, ensuring hoof horn integrity and hardness.
    • Calcium (Ca): Important for cellular cohesion and mineralization, stabilizing the microscopic horn structure.
  • Imbalance or deficiencies can lead to hoof pathology or poor hoof quality.

Aims of the Study

  • To determine how the breed (pure-breed Arabian vs. Polish sport horses) and gender (mares vs. geldings) influence the levels of Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca, and S in the hoof wall.
  • To analyze the correlations among these mineral contents within the hoof tissues.

Methods

  • Sample Collection:
    • Hoof wall samples were collected from 46 horses in total:
      • 24 purebred Arabian horses (11 mares, 13 geldings)
      • 22 Polish sport horses (11 mares, 11 geldings)
  • Sample Preparation:
    • Tissue samples were washed thoroughly to remove contaminants.
    • Wet mineralization technique was applied to prepare samples for analysis.
  • Mineral Analysis:
    • Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure metal (Zn, Cu, Fe, Ca) content accurately.
    • Sulfur content was determined using the Bardsley-Lancaster method, a chemical assay designed to quantify sulfur in biological samples.

Key Findings

  • Breed Differences:
    • Arabian horses
    • Polish sport horses
  • Gender Differences:
    • Significant gender-related difference was found only for sulfur content—and only within the Polish sport horses group.
    • Other minerals did not show significant gender-based differences in either breed.
  • Correlation Between Minerals:
    • In Polish sport horses, a significant negative correlation was found between calcium and zinc levels (p = 0.0208), suggesting that as calcium increases, zinc decreases or vice versa.
    • In Arabian horses, calcium and iron levels were negatively correlated significantly (p = 0.0118), indicating an inverse relationship between these two minerals in the hoof wall.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The observed differences in mineral content by breed may reflect physiological or genetic differences influencing hoof quality and resilience.
  • The higher calcium and zinc in Arabian horses might contribute to differences in hoof strength or elasticity compared to Polish sport horses.
  • The copper richness in Polish sport horses’ hooves might link to variations in keratin structure or horn hardness.
  • Gender appeared to have a limited effect on mineral content except for sulfur in Polish sport horses, which may warrant further study.
  • Negative correlations between certain minerals suggest that balances among minerals are important, and imbalances could potentially affect the hoof’s structural properties.
  • Overall, these insights provide foundational data to better understand hoof health, influencing care practices aimed at preventing common hoof disorders such as overgrowth or micro-cracks.

Cite This Article

APA
Stanek M, Różański SŁ, Sztuka H, Komosa M. (2025). Comparison of the Level of Mineral Components in the Hoof Wall of Pure-Breed Arabian Horses and Polish Sport Horses. Biol Trace Elem Res. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-025-04952-z

Publication

Biological trace element research
ISSN: 1559-0720
NlmUniqueID: 7911509
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Stanek, Magdalena
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, 85-084, Poland. magdalena.stanek@pbs.edu.pl.
Różański, Szymon Ł
  • Laboratory of Chemical Research and Instrumental Analysis, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, 85-084, Poland.
Sztuka, Hanna
  • Polish Arabian Horse Breeding Society, Susz Kamieniec, 14-240, Poland.
Komosa, Marcin
  • Department of Animal Physiology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, 85-084, Poland.
  • Faculty of Medical Sciences, Poznań Medical University of Applied Sciences named Prince Mieszko I, Poznań, 60-320, Poland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Consent to Participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent to Publish: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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