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The Journal of experimental biology1987; 130; 121-136; doi: 10.1242/jeb.130.1.121

Functional design of horse hoof keratin: the modulation of mechanical properties through hydration effects.

Abstract: Tensile moduli and J-integral fracture toughness values were determined for horse hoof-wall keratin at four hydration levels. The stiffness of hoof-wall was influenced by water content to a greater degree than is the stiffness of other mammalian hard keratins. Young's modulus increased from 410 MPa at 100% relative hydration (RH) to 14.6 GPa at 0% RH. Fracture toughness was maximal (22.8 kJ m-2) at an intermediate hydration (75% RH), which represents a two-fold increase over both fully hydrated and dehydrated material. Maximum fracture toughness occurred at a hydration level which is within the range that has been found in vivo in the hoof wall. These results lead to the hypothesis that the density of secondary bonding sites within the hoof-wall keratin matrix proteins provides the hoof organ with the means to modulate tissue properties, even though this epidermal tissue functions after the cells have died.
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Publication Date: 1987-07-01 PubMed ID: 2442283DOI: 10.1242/jeb.130.1.121Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

The research on horse hoof keratin suggests that its mechanical properties, particularly stiffness and fracture toughness, are significantly altered by the level of hydration in the hoof. The study determined that maximized fracture toughness coincided with hydration levels usually found on live horses’ hooves, which could indicate an adaptive characteristic of hoof keratin.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The primary aim of the research was to investigate how the level of hydration impacts the mechanical properties of horse hoof-wall keratin. It specifically examined Young’s modulus and J-integral fracture toughness values.
  • The experiment was conducted at four different hydration levels to assess the keratin’s response.
  • The researchers calculated Young’s modulus, a measure of stiffness of a certain material, and the J-integral fracture toughness, an indicator of a material’s resistance to fracture.

Research Findings

  • It was observed that the hoof-wall stiffness was greatly influenced by the water content. The effect of hydration on hoof-wall keratin stiffness is more significant than on other mammalian hard keratins.
  • The findings highlighted a rise in Young’s modulus from 410 MPa (Mega Pascal – a unit of pressure) at full hydration (100% relative hydration, RH) to 14.6 GPa (Giga Pascal – one billion pascals) at zero hydration.
  • The fracture toughness reached its highest level (22.8 kJ m-2) at an intermediate hydration level (75% RH), representing a two-fold increase compared to both completely hydrated and dehydrated keratin material.
  • Importantly, this maximum fracture toughness was observed at a hydration level that is usually present in a live horse’s hoof wall.

Hypothesis and Future Implications

  • The study concluded with a hypothesis that the density of secondary bonding sites within hoof-wall keratin matrix proteins provides the hoof with the ability to modulate tissue properties. This is especially significant considering this epidermal tissue functions even after the cells have died.
  • These findings have broader implications in understanding the functional design of hard keratins in animals and their adaptation to specific environmental or usage conditions.
  • The research could potentially guide material sciences in enhancing mechanical properties based on hydration effects, akin to hoof keratin.

Cite This Article

APA
Bertram JE, Gosline JM. (1987). Functional design of horse hoof keratin: the modulation of mechanical properties through hydration effects. J Exp Biol, 130, 121-136. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.130.1.121

Publication

The Journal of experimental biology
ISSN: 0022-0949
NlmUniqueID: 0243705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 130
Pages: 121-136

Researcher Affiliations

Bertram, J E
    Gosline, J M

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Biomechanical Phenomena
      • Body Water / metabolism
      • Compliance
      • Hoof and Claw / physiology
      • Horses / physiology
      • Keratins / physiology
      • Stress, Mechanical
      • Tensile Strength

      Citations

      This article has been cited 17 times.
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