Radiographic Analysis of the Beef Cattle Digits Slaughtered after 114 Days of Confinement.

Foot disorders are responsible for up to 5% of confinement losses. Identifying the cause of lameness and applying the correct treatment are crucial measures. The possibility of determining the probable origins of digital lesions, their extension, and assistance in cases in which it was not possible to reach a definitive clinical diagnosis demonstrates that the radiographic evaluation provides information of great importance on cattle digits.

Microstructure of the hoof capsule of pigmented and partial albino buffaloes.

In this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM), microtomography (MCT-2D and MCT-3D) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) were used to generate parameters of the microstructure of the hoof capsule of pigmented and partial albino buffaloes. Seventy-two digits of adult pigmented buffaloes and 16 of partial albino buffaloes were used and equally divided into thoracic and pelvic limbs and medial and lateral claws. Fragments of 10 mm × 10 mm of the dorsal wall, abaxial wall and pre-bulbar sole were collected.

Mineral composition and microstructure of the abaxial hoof wall in dairy heifers after biotin supplementation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily biotin supplementation on the mineral composition and microstructure of the abaxial hoof wall in dairy heifers. The heifers were housed on a concrete floor and fed for weight gain more than 800 g per day, which is a challenging environment for the hoof. Twelve crossbred dairy heifers (Jersey × Holstein) were divided into two treatment groups.