Award details

Effect of urine and chemical fixatives on the physical properties of hoof keratin

Reference	BBS/E/S/00000497
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Neville Gregory
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Silsoe Research Institute
Department	Silsoe Research Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	72,000
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2004
End date	31/03/2005
Duration	12 months

Abstract

Cattle are sometimes kept under conditions that predispose the hooves to damage, such as solar bruising, sole ulceration and subsequent infection. The mechanisms underpinning these forms of lameness are not fully understood. This study aims to test the theoretical considerations identified by Gregory (2004) that shavings taken from cattle heels swelled when exposed for 3 days to urine. In addition, urea, sulphide and ammonia were found to cause swelling at concentrations normally found in cattle urine or slurry. It is suspected that these compounds in urine cause hydrogen and disulphide bonds in the keratin molecule to rupture, allowing the molecule to unravel and take up moisture. Hydration of the molecule in this way would presumably make it prone to damage by hydraulic pressures when weight bearing. These theoretical considerations need to be tested further. The project will also seek to find alternatives to formalin as a footbath hoof hardener, use of which is likely to be discouraged in future because it is carcinogenic. The aims of the project are therefore to determine whether exposure to urine and silage effluent causes reductions in the hardness of the sole of the hoof, and to examine potential treatments for protecting hooves against softening. Hooves from cull dairy cows will be collected from OTM abattoirs and transported to Silsoe Research Institute. Sections of hooves, and shavings from the heel, will be prepared. The effects of cow urine on hoof surface hardness will be compared with that of rainwater. In addition, the effect of a range of organic aldehydes will be assessed for their ability to prevent hoof keratin swelling.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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