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Horse hooves and bird feathers: Two model systems for studying the structure and development of highly adapted integumentary accessory organs–the role of the dermo-epidermal interface for the micro-architecture of complex epidermal structures.
Abstract: Accessory organs of the integument are locally modified parts of the potentially feather-bearing skin in birds (e.g., the rhamphotheca, claws, or scales), and of the potentially hairy skin in mammals (e.g., the rhinarium, nails, claws, or hooves). These special parts of the integument are characterised by a modified structure of their epidermal, dermal and subcutaneous layers. The developmental processes of these various integumentary structures in birds and mammals show both similarities and differences. For example, the development of the specialised epidermal structures of both feathers and the hoof capsule is influenced by the local three-dimensional configuration of the dermis. However, in feathers, in contrast to hooves, the arrangement of the corneous cells is only partially a direct result of the particular arrangement and shape of the dermal surface of the papillary body. Whereas the diameter of the feather papilla, as well as the number, length, and width of dermal ridges on the surface of the feather papilla influence the three-dimensional architecture of the feather rami, there is no apparent direct correlation between the dermo-epidermal interface and the development of the highly ordered architecture of the radii and hamuli in the feather vane. In order to elucidate this morphogenic problem and the problem of locally different processes of keratinisation and cornification, the structure and development of feathers in birds are compared to those of the hoof capsule in horses. The equine hoof is the most complex mammalian integumentary structure, which is determined directly by the dermal surface of the papillary body. Perspectives for further research on the development of modified integumentary structures, such as the role of the dermal microangioarchitecture and the selective adhesion and various differentiation pathways of epidermal cells, are discussed.
Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Publication Date: 2003-09-02 PubMed ID: 12949774DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.31Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the similarities and differences in the development of integumentary accessory organs, using bird feathers and horse hooves as models. The focus is mainly on the role of the dermo-epidermal interface in influencing the micro-architecture of these complex epidermal structures.
Integumentary Accessory Organs
- The paper examines integumentary accessory organs, which are localized modifications of the skin that can potentially produce feathers in birds (e.g., rhamphotheca, claws, or scales) or hair in mammals (e.g., rhinarium, nails, claws, or hooves).
- These specialized parts of the skin are characterized by alterations in the structure of their epidermal, dermal, and subcutaneous layers.
Development Process
- The study reveals that the development processes of these diverse skin structures in birds and mammals showcase both similar and varying features.
- Particularly, the local three-dimensional configuration of the dermis influences the development of specialized epidermal structures in both feathers and hoof capsules.
Differing Influences of Dermis
- However, the researchers indicate that in bird feathers, unlike in horse hooves, the arrangement of the corneous cells is only partially influenced by the specific layout and shape of the dermal surface of the papillary body.
- Aspects like the diameter of the feather papilla, and the number, length, and width of dermal ridges on the feather papilla’s surface, influence the feather rami’s three-dimensional architecture.
- Contrarily, there doesn’t seem to be a direct correlation between the dermo-epidermal interface and the formation of the highly ordered architecture of the radii and hamuli in the feather vane.
Comparative Analysis of Feathers and Hooves
- To understand this morphogenic issue and the variable processes of keratinisation and cornification, the study compares the structure and development of feathers in birds and the hoof capsule in horses.
- The hoof of a horse is described as the most intricate mammalian integumentary structure, the development of which is directly determined by the dermal surface of the papillary body.
Future Research
- The paper ends by suggesting directions for future research in this field, focusing on the development of modified integumentary structures. This covers areas such as the role of dermal microangioarchitecture and the selective adhesion and differing differentiation pathways of epidermal cells.
Cite This Article
APA
Bragulla H, Hirschberg RM.
(2003).
Horse hooves and bird feathers: Two model systems for studying the structure and development of highly adapted integumentary accessory organs–the role of the dermo-epidermal interface for the micro-architecture of complex epidermal structures.
J Exp Zool B Mol Dev Evol, 298(1), 140-151.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.b.31 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195 Berlin, Germany. bragull2@zedat.fu-berlin.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Birds / anatomy & histology
- Birds / embryology
- Feathers / anatomy & histology
- Feathers / embryology
- Feathers / ultrastructure
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Hoof and Claw / embryology
- Hoof and Claw / ultrastructure
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / embryology
- Integumentary System / anatomy & histology
- Integumentary System / embryology
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
- Models, Biological
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- Sundberg JP, Galantino-Homer H, Fairfield H, Ward-Bailey PF, Harris BS, Berry M, Pratt CH, Gott NE, Bechtold LS, Kaplan PR, Durbin-Johnson BP, Rocke DM, Rice RH. Witch Nails (Krt90whnl): A spontaneous mouse mutation affecting nail growth and development. PLoS One 2022;17(11):e0277284.
- Deng K, Kovalev A, Rajabi H, Schaber CF, Dai ZD, Gorb SN. The damping properties of the foam-filled shaft of primary feathers of the pigeon Columba livia. Naturwissenschaften 2021 Dec 3;109(1):1.
- Cassimeris L, Engiles JB, Galantino-Homer H. Interleukin-17A pathway target genes are upregulated in Equus caballus supporting limb laminitis. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0232920.
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- Yang Q, Lopez MJ. Ultrastructural morphology is distinct among primary progenitor cell isolates from normal, inflamed, and cryopreserved equine hoof tissue and CD105(+)K14(+) progenitor cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2019 Sep;55(8):641-655.
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- Zamboulis DE, Senior JM, Clegg PD, Gallagher JA, Carter SD, Milner PI. Distribution of purinergic P2X receptors in the equine digit, cervical spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Purinergic Signal 2013 Sep;9(3):383-93.
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- Bragulla HH, Homberger DG. Structure and functions of keratin proteins in simple, stratified, keratinized and cornified epithelia. J Anat 2009 Apr;214(4):516-59.
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