Thomason J J, Faramarzi B, Revill A, Sears W
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
Equine Vet J. 2008 Jul;40(5):473-80. doi: 10.2746/042516408X313652.
Differences in hoof morphology have largely been underappreciated in the literature until recently, and it is these that hold the key to interpreting functional adaptation in the hoof.
Primary laminar morphology correlates with hoof capsule shape; and breeds with different hoof shapes and loadings show different patterns of correlation.
Seventeen measurements of capsule shape and 3 of primary epidermal laminae (PEL) morphology (spacing, orientation and curvature) were made on right and left front hooves from 27 Standardbred and 25 Thoroughbred horses, and tested for breed differences. Three laminar variables (spacing, orientation and curvature) were measured on each hoof for samples of 25 PEL in 5 circumferential and 4 proximodistal locations. Pairwise correlations of capsular and laminar measurements were compared within breeds. Significant correlations were mapped onto the 20 sampling sites.
Capsule shape differed significantly between breeds in 7 measurements and in a multivariate test. Between breeds, PEL differed in orientation and spacing primarily at the medial quarters and heels, and in curvature at both quarters (P<0.05). Significant correlations between several pairs of capsule and laminar variables were found at sample locations that differed markedly between breeds.
Laminar morphology, hoof capsule shape and correlations between them differ between Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. These results support the concept that remodelling of PEL is, at least in part, stimulated and directed by varying stress or strain levels in the laminar junction.
Understanding the biological responses of hoof tissues to stress should add to the ability to prevent lameness involving the hoof and maintain its health.
直到最近，蹄形态的差异在文献中很大程度上一直未得到充分重视，而正是这些差异掌握着解读蹄功能适应性的关键。
初级板层形态与蹄匣形状相关；具有不同蹄形和负荷的品种表现出不同的相关模式。
对27匹标准赛马和25匹纯种马的左右前蹄进行了17项蹄匣形状测量以及3项初级表皮板层（PEL）形态测量（间距、方向和曲率），并测试品种差异。在5个圆周位置和4个近远侧位置的25个PEL样本的每只蹄上测量3个板层变量（间距、方向和曲率）。比较各品种内蹄匣和板层测量的成对相关性。将显著相关性映射到20个采样点上。
在7项测量以及多变量测试中，品种间蹄匣形状存在显著差异。品种间，PEL主要在内侧蹄瓣和蹄跟处的方向和间距不同，在两个蹄瓣处的曲率也不同（P<0.05）。在品种间明显不同的样本位置发现了几对蹄匣和板层变量之间的显著相关性。
标准赛马和纯种马之间的板层形态、蹄匣形状及其之间的相关性存在差异。这些结果支持这样一种概念，即PEL的重塑至少部分是由板层交界处不同的应力或应变水平所刺激和引导的。
了解蹄组织对压力的生物学反应应有助于预防涉及蹄部的跛行并维持其健康。
