Nutrition and the Bovine Claw - Metabolic Control of Keratin Formation

Nutritional management continues to be a major focal point in the attempt to reduce lameness in dairy cattle (Nocek, 1997). Lameness is a multifactorial disease resulting from an array of factors inherent to dairy operations (Lischer and Ossent, 1994). Factors affecting lameness and locomotion include nutrition, feeding strategies, wetness, abrasive or slippery floor surfaces and health events causing production of poor quality horn (fever, age, off-feed, metabolic disturbances, toxins/mycotoxins). A considerable body of evidence is available for the impact of protein, carbohydrates, nonforage fiber, fiber length, and various other macro nutritional management factors pertaining to ruminal function and performance of the dairy cow during the transition period. However, for a long time less emphasis has been placed on the role of hormones, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements and the roles they play in development of quality claw horn and keratin formation ...