Mineral Profile, Histology, and Tensile Strength of Hooves in Dorper and Santa Inês Sheep

This study aimed to characterize the mineral composition, histological structures, and tensile strength of the hooves of Dorper and Santa Inês sheep raised under a semi-intensive system in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Lateral hooves (digit IV) of the right thoracic and pelvic limbs were collected from 20 clinically healthy male sheep, weighing 30–35 kg and aged 150–180 days, with 10 individuals of each breed. Mechanical strength was assessed through tensile testing using a universal testing machine (Instron 3367), in accordance with the ASTM E8/E8M-21 standard. Histological samples of the abaxial hoof wall were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined under light microscopy for measurement of horn tubules and dermal papillae. Mineral composition was determined by X-ray fluorescence after calcination of samples at 600°C. Results indicated a higher breaking load in Dorper hooves (28.21 ± 7.80 kg) compared with Santa Inês (24.05 ± 5.73 kg), with no significant difference in tensile stress. Histologically, Dorper sheep showed a greater number and length of dermal papillae, as well as more horn tubules in the pelvic limbs. In contrast, Santa Inês sheep exhibited thicker cell layers in both horn tubules and dermal papillae across thoracic and pelvic limbs. Mineral analysis revealed higher concentrations of macro- and microminerals in Dorper hooves, particularly calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, iron, manganese, and zinc. These findings suggest that Dorper hooves exhibit better structural organization and greater mechanical resistance, possibly due to higher mineral concentrations. The comparison between breeds highlights morphological and biochemical differences that may reflect distinct physiological adaptations, with implications for hoof health under semi-arid conditions.

Cite this article as: Nascimento, U. F. S., Silveira, A. M., & Rizzo, H. (2026). Mineral profile, histology, and tensile strength of hooves in Dorper and Santa Inês sheep. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0132, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25132.