Zhang Rui, Qiao Yu, Ji Qiaoli, Ma Songsong, Li Jianqiao
Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Nanguan District, Changchun, 130022, People's Republic of China.
J Vet Res. 2017 Dec 6;61(2):223-229. doi: 10.1515/jvetres-2017-0029. eCollection 2017 Jun.
Reindeer are adapted to long distance migration. This species can cope with variations in substrate, especially in ice and snow environment. However, few detailed studies about reindeer hoof are available. Thus this article describes the results of studies on macro- and micro-structures of reindeer hoof.
The gross anatomy of the reindeer hooves was examined. Stereo microscope (SM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to observe four key selected positions of reindeer hooves. Moreover, element contents of the three selected positions of reindeer hooves were analysed using the SEM equipped with energy dispersive spectroscope.
Hoof bone structures were similar to other artiodactyl animals. In the microscopic analysis, the surfaces of the ungula sphere and ungula sole presented irregular laminated structure. Ungula edge surfaces were smooth and ungula cusp surfaces had unique features. Aside from C, O, and N, reindeer hooves contained such elements as S, Si, Fe, Al, and Ca. The content of the elements in different parts varied. Ti was the particular element in the ungula sole, and ungula edge lacked Mg and S which other parts contained.
The macro- and micro-structures of the reindeer hooves showed high performance of skid and abrasion resistance. It is most probably essential to the long distance migration for the animals.
驯鹿适应长途迁徙。该物种能够应对不同的地面状况，尤其是在冰雪环境中。然而，关于驯鹿蹄子的详细研究却很少。因此，本文描述了对驯鹿蹄子宏观和微观结构的研究结果。
对驯鹿蹄子的大体解剖结构进行了检查。使用体视显微镜（SM）和扫描电子显微镜（SEM）观察驯鹿蹄子四个选定的关键位置。此外，使用配备能谱仪的SEM分析了驯鹿蹄子三个选定位置的元素含量。
蹄骨结构与其他偶蹄动物相似。在微观分析中，蹄球和蹄底表面呈现出不规则的层状结构。蹄边缘表面光滑，蹄尖表面具有独特特征。除了碳、氧和氮之外，驯鹿蹄子还含有硫、硅、铁、铝和钙等元素。不同部位的元素含量各不相同。钛是蹄底特有的元素，蹄边缘缺少其他部位所含的镁和硫。
驯鹿蹄子的宏观和微观结构显示出其具有高性能的防滑和耐磨性能。这对动物的长途迁徙很可能至关重要。
