For livestock owners, lameness causes monumental problems to the daily welfare and productivity of their animals. For the ovine industry, one of the most common causes of lameness is of infectious origin. Footrot is a bacterial disease that affects the ovine industry globally. It has detrimental effects on the welfare of sheep, causing severe lameness if not treated as well as huge economic impacts. The skin-hoof interface of the ovine claw, if succumbed to wet and damaging environments provides the perfect entry point for the pathogenic bacteria Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum to invade, resulting in interdigital dermatitis leading to footrot. To date, there is limited literature detailing how the innate immune system of the ovine species responds to these pathogens.
The aim of the project was to develop an Ex vivo organ culture (EVOC) model of the ovine foot by sampling biopsies of the ovine skin/hoof interface and supporting them in a laboratory environment. A wide range of conditions were explored in order to mimic the environment in vivo. Nanodrop analysis and Agilent bioanalyser were used to determine RNA concentration and quality of ovine biopsies, respectively. The model was successfully sustained for 24 hours, with suitable RNA concentrations (>40ng/µl) and good RNA quality (RIN >6) obtained for further analysis.
This novel model is the first of its kind that can be used to investigate innate immune response to infectious diseases affecting the ruminant foot, especially footrot in sheep. Crucially it also addresses the principles of the 3 Rs of experimentation providing a replacement for whole animal use and ultimately aims to improve the welfare of sheep.