2010 Volume 63 Issue 1 Pages 38-43
This study aims to clarify whether collagen peptide derived from salmon skin (MCP; marine collagen peptide) can affect the strength of bovine hoof connective tissue. MCP was administered orally to two adult cows at 0.2g/kg bodyweight for eight weeks. Then, connective tissue from three regions-dorsal, lateral and palmar aspect-of each fore-hoof was collected for the histological and biochemical investigations. The thickness of the dermis, number of fibroblasts, and diameter and density of collagen fibrils in the dorsal and lateral aspects in the MCP group significantly increased as compared with the control group. In the palmer aspect, the number of fibroblasts in the MCP group increased. Thickness of dermis, and diameter and density of collagen fibrils decreased. Moreover, increase in relative ratios of dermatan sulfate and type V collagen, which regulated fibril assembly, was also observed in this hoof region. Long-term MCP ingestion could increase the mass-average diameter (MAD) and strength index of connective tissue in the dorsal and lateral regions, but decrease the MAD in the palmer region. MCP may have potential for strengthening the connective tissue structure for maintaining the integrity and function of the dermis and dermal extracellular matrix in all hoof regions.
