Histomorphology of skin epidermis of cattle breeds of maharashtra in different climatic condition

The present study was conducted on skin samples of 4 – 6 years of age healthy Deoni, Red kandhari, Dangi and Gaolao breeds of cattle managed under hygienic conditions on farm in different regions of Maharashtra. The skin samples, 10 of each breed were obtained surgically from loin region during winter and summer seasons separately. The epidermis was comprised of four sub layers namely stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum and stratum basale from outside in. The stratum granulosum was two cell layers in thickness in Gaolao cattle during both seasons, whereas it was single cell layer in thickness in other cattle breeds. The thickness of stratum corneum and epidermis was found more during winter season in all cattle breeds. The melanocytes and Langerhans cells were distributed among cells of stratum basale and stratum spinosum. The density of melanin pigmentation was more in basal epidermal region and was reduced towards the superficial part of epidermis. The epidermal pegs were the down growth of epidermis in the underlying dermis. The average numbers of epidermal pegs varied significantly among breeds as per climatic and geographic conditions.