Effect of Megalac Supplementation on the Total Lipid Content, Moisture Content and Bound Water Content of Sheep Claw Horn

Inoue et al. (1986) have shown that human epidermis with higher levels of lipid also has higher moisture content and bound water content. As water is known to modulate the mechanical properties of hoof horn (Bertram and Gosline, 1987), a change in lipid content through supplementation may allow the manipulation of biomechanical properties of the claw. This study investigates whether a dietary lipid supplement protected against rumen fermentation may be a useful tool in controlling the properties of the sheep claw and also provides basic data for comparative studies.

Materials and Methods
Ten female Mule x Charollais lambs were fed a basal diet containing 550g/kg barley, 350g/kg oats, 50g/kg molassed feed meal, 25g/kg extracted soybean meal and 25g/kg mineral and vitamin mix ...