MORPHO-HISTOLOGICAL STRUCTURE STUDY OF EQUINE HOOF CORONARY DERMAL PAPILLAE

Abstract

This study investigated the features of this important histological papilla structure. The frequent renewal of the hoof wall occurs at the coronary dermal papillae. The importance of hoof material synthesis from the papillae, in the pathology of laminitis has been underlined in different species. Sixteen equine hooves were collected and tissue samples were harvested from the coronary region. The results revealed that the average number of dermal papillae was found to be 21±0.67 mm2 across 15 horses which is more than reported in cattle. There was a strong correlation between the ratio of collagen fibres in dermal papillae and deep dermal tissue. In addition, this study indicates that the significant difference of papillae epithelial thickness at the heel region in comparison to dorsal and quarter, suggested that these difference may be have an influence on the production and reduction of horny material.