The Melanocyte Population in the Skin During Development of the Marsupial Trichosurus Vulpecula

Abstract

Changes in the melanocyte population have been examined in 170 samples of skin from 41 animals, ranging in age from embryos to adults. The earliest melanocytes in samples of epidermis and dermis incubated in DOPA reagent are revealed at 2 days after birth. Melanocytes in the epidermis are present only during the period of follicle initiation from the epidermis, that is, from 2 to 100 days after birth. Dermal melanocytes are confined to the mid-level of the dermis, except in very young animals which have some near the epidermis. Melanocyte numbers in whole mounts of skin range from 0 to 570 per 1 mm2 in the epidermis and from 0 to 100 per 1 mm2 in the dermis. Some of the epidermal melanocytes discharge melanin granules into neighbouring epidermal cells. Dermal melanocytes do not release their granules.