MICROMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE EPIDERMIS, HAIR FOLLICLES AND SKIN GLANDS OF SHEEP DURING PRENATAL LIFE

Document Type : Research article

Authors

Abstract

The histomorphological changes occuring in the sheep fetal skin (Blackface breed), from the 26th to the 130th day of pregnancy, were studied.
The stratification of the epidermis started at the 52 ed day of embryonic life. The anlagen of the hair follicles appeared around the 78th day of fetal life and showed also the commencement of the growth of the tubular and sebaceous glands.
The formation of the hair canals, throuh its epidermal and sebaceous gland origins, occured at the 104th day of fetal life. Also at this stage the sebaceous and the tubular glands reached their mature form. The trio-groupings of the primary follicles as well as the groupings of the secondary variety were difficult to be demonstrated during the advanced stages of intrauterine life, as the connective tissue fibers of the dermis were still short and fine.