Swat Glant and Hair Follicle Measurements as Indicators of Skin Type in Cattle

Abstract

An attempt has been made to find a suitable indicator of skin type which could be used for comparing the skin of cattle throughout the world. The effects of age, sex, and habitat on a number of skin measurements were studied. The influence of nutrition and of season and exercise on these measurements is discussed and within· animal regional differences are considered. It was concluded that sweat gland shape, which was defined as the ratio of sweat glartd length to sweat gland diameter, is a reliable indicator of cattle skin type when measured on skin samples from the neck or midside of adult cattle. Other skin measurements, such as hair follicle depth, may also prove useful under more restricted conditions and in the subclassification' of the skin type based on sweat gland shape.