Studies In Depilation Ii. Structural Ohanges in the Wool Follicle During Bacterial Wool Loosening (

doi:10.1071/BI9680361

Studies In Depilation Ii. Structural Ohanges in the Wool Follicle During Bacterial Wool Loosening ("Sweating")

JR Yates

Australian Journal of Biological Sciences 21(2) 361 - 374
Published: 1968

Abstract

The changes in the various structural components of the wool follicle during the "sweating" process were followed by histological staining of sections prepared from the skin at appropriate intervals. Tissue breakdown starts in the lower part of the outer root sheath, progresses up the sheath, and ultimately involves the epidermis. The epidermis usually separates from the underlying dermis at a certain stage in the depilation process before the epidermal cells start to disintegrate. The gradual breakdown of the cells of the wool root bulb is an integral part of the wool· loosening process. The inner root sheath, the elastic tissue, and the fat cells are all broken down during depilation, but this is incidental to, and not the cause of, the loosening of the wool fibre. Sulphated mucopolysaccharides are gradually removed from the skin during depilation.