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Physics of Animal Health: On the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form

Al-Agele, R; Paul, E; Taylor, S; Watson, C; Sturrock, C; Drakopoulos, M; Atwood, R C; Rutland, C S; Menzies-Gow, N J; Knowles, E; Elliott, J; Harris, P; Rauch, C

Authors

R Al-Agele

E Paul

S Taylor

C Watson

C Sturrock

M Drakopoulos

R C Atwood

C S Rutland

N J Menzies-Gow

E Knowles

J Elliott

P Harris

C Rauch



Abstract

Global inequalities in economic access and agriculture productivity imply that a large number of developing countries rely on working equids for transport/agriculture/mining. Therefore, the understanding of hoof conditions/shape variations affecting equids' ability to work is still a persistent concern. To bridge this gap, using a multi-scale interdisciplinary approach, we provide a bio-physical model predicting the shape of equids’ hooves as a function of physical and biological parameters. In particular, we show (i) where the hoof growth stress originates from, (ii) why the hoof growth rate is one order of magnitude higher than the proliferation rate of epithelial cells and (iii) how the soft-to-hard transformation of the epithelium is possible allowing the hoof to fulfil its function as a weight-bearing element. Finally (iv), we demonstrate that the reason for hoof misshaping is linked to the asymmetrical design of equids' feet (shorter quarters/long toe) together with the inability of the biological growth stress to compensate for such an asymmetry. Consequently, the hoof can adopt a dorsal curvature and become ‘dished’ overtime, which is a function of the animal's mass and the hoof growth rate. This approach allows us to discuss the potential occurrence of this multifaceted pathology in equids.

Citation

Al-Agele, R., Paul, E., Taylor, S., Watson, C., Sturrock, C., Drakopoulos, M., …Rauch, C. (2019). Physics of Animal Health: On the mechano-biology of hoof growth and form. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2019.0214

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 30, 2019
Publication Date Jun 26, 2019
Deposit Date May 31, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Issue 155
DOI https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2019.0214
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1381519

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