Biochemical studies on the caprine hoof horn

Abstract

As the acropodial region is the segment through which the animal comes into contact with the ground, research was carried out on the biochemical composition of the caprine hoof horn. Samples were collected from the wall, interdigital cleft and sole of adult goats of similar age, kept under identical conditions. The studies aimed to determine the percentage of moisture and dry matter, as well as the presence of microelements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu, which are involved in the process of keratinization. The obtained results highlighted the increased hygroscopicity of the non-pigmented horn compared to the pigmented one. An analysis of the different areas of the hoof horn showed that hygroscopicity is higher at the level of the sole (89.6% dry matter) in the pigmented horn, while in the non-pigmented horn hygroscopicity is higher at the level of the wall (80.6% dry matter). The biochemical examination confirmed the important role that the microelements play in the texture of the hoof horn, both in the case of pigmented and non-pigmented horn. Thus, the calcium expressed as mg / Kg varied between 0.059 in the non-pigmented sole and 0.052 in the interdigital cleft of the pigmented horn. Zinc came in second place, with variations between 0.14 mg / Kg in the pigmented wall and 0.04 mg / Kg in the non-pigmented wall. 0.084 mg / Kg of magnesium were found in the non-pigmented sole and 0.036 mg / Kg in the pigmented sole. Copper was identified mainly in the interdigital cleft (0.133 mg / Kg) and wall (0.027 mg / kg) of the pigmented horn. The studies that were carried out can serve as a guide to protecting the caprine hoof horn and stimulating keratogenesis in case of accidents that affect its integrity.