Shape, orientation and spacing of the primary epidermal laminae in the hooves of neonatal and adult horses (Equus caballus).
Abstract: Circumferential and proximodistal variations in the morphology of the primary epidermal laminae of six neonatal and five adult equine feet were documented. Three parameters were quantified: interlaminar spacing, the orientation of the laminae with respect to the overlying wall, and any angulation within the laminae themselves ('internal angle'). In adult feet, the laminae were most closely spaced at the dorsum, the spacing increasing gradually towards the heels. In foals there was a non-significant trend for the dorsal laminae to be more widely spaced than those in more caudal parts of the foot. In both age groups, the dorsal laminae were almost straight (mean divergence from linearity at all sites 2 degrees ), and were oriented at approximately 90 degrees to the tangent to the overlying wall (mean orientation for all sites 91 degrees ). At the quarters, the laminae were in general oriented caudally relative to the tangential position from their epidermal to their dermal ends (mean orientation of >90 degrees at 12 of 16 sampling sites, where an orientation of >90 degrees defines a 'caudally directed' orientation) and, in general, had a bend within their length (mean absolute value of internal angle for all sites 9 degrees ). At the heels there was greater variability in the data for both laminar orientation and internal angle. Overall, the foal feet showed greater mediolateral symmetry and less proximodistal variation than did the adult feet. In both age groups, rapid spatial changes in laminar morphology were closely associated with the position of the margins of the third phalanx.
Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
Publication Date: 2000-04-15 PubMed ID: 10765026DOI: 10.1159/000016744Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research looks at the shape, orientation, and spacing of primary epidermal laminae in the hooves of newborn and adult horses. It identifies variations in these parameters and shows that young horses have a greater degree of symmetry and less variability in these features than adults.
Objectives of the Research
- The researchers aimed to document and understand the circumferential and proximodistal variations in the morphology of primary epidermal laminae in horseshoes.
- They investigated three specific parameters – interlaminar spacing, laminae orientation with respect to the overlying wall, and any internal angulation within the laminae.
Observations and Findings
- In the adult equine feet, laminae were most closely spaced at the dorsum (the upper surface) of the foot, with spacing gradually increasing towards the heels.
- Neonatal equine foot showed a non-significant trend towards the dorsal laminae being more widely spaced than those in the rear parts of the foot.
- The dorsal laminae were almost straight in both age groups and were oriented at approximately 90 degrees to the tangent to the overlying wall.
- At the quarters of the foot, laminae showed a general orientation towards the rear and also showed a bend within their length. There was greater variability observed in the data for laminar orientation and internal angulation at the heels.
- Overall, the younger horses showed greater symmetry in the mediolateral (horizontal) direction and less variation in the proximodistal (vertical) direction than the adult horses.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that rapid spatial changes in laminar morphology (shape and structure) in both neonatal and adult horses were closely associated with the position of the margins of the third phalanx (the most distal bone of the horse’s leg).
- Understanding these variations in laminar morphology can contribute to better knowledge of hoof-related health issues in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Douglas JE, Thomason JJ.
(2000).
Shape, orientation and spacing of the primary epidermal laminae in the hooves of neonatal and adult horses (Equus caballus).
Cells Tissues Organs, 166(3), 304-318.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000016744 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Research Centre, University of Guelph, Canada. jed21@bellatlantic.net
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Epidermal Cells
- Epidermis / physiology
- Foot / anatomy & histology
- Foot / physiology
- Hoof and Claw / cytology
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
Citations
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