Immunohistochemical Detection and Localisation of Growth Factors in Bovine Claw Tissue

Horn production and the maintenance of functionally important structures are continual processes in bovine claw tissue. These are dependent on the proliferation and differentiation of horn-producing cells of the epidermis and the synthesis and breakdown of structural macromolecules and adhesion molecules in the basement membrane and dermis. A range of chemical messengers have been identified in integumental tissues such as skin and hair follicle (e.g. Stenn et al, 2001) but their presence and role in the bovine claw are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and localisation of two signalling molecules, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) in bovine claw epider mis and dermis. These growth factors have been shown to influence proliferation and morphogenesis in a range of tissues of the ...