[Microscopical studies of the skin thickness in Iranian camel]

ABSTRACT

Skin samples were taken from six different areas, of twelve Iranian camels [Camelus dromedarius]. These samples were selected from camels being slaughtered in Tehran abbatour randomly. The sites for sampling were as fallows lower lip region, regio masseterica, regio epigastrium, regio exiphoidea, regio branchii and regie femoris. Histological preparation and measurement on the thickness of different skin layers were carried out and statistical analysis of the data was also performed the results are as followed. The epidermis consisted essentially of stratified squmous keratinized epithelium. It contained melanocytes, slightly flattend cells and flattened polygonal cells. The keratinizing epidermal cells were located the most superficially. Although the thickness of the skin varied significantly in different parts of selected samples. The epidermis lower lip region and regio masseterica were thicker. The dermis was composed of dense connective tissue that supported the epidermis and tightly attached to hypodermis, which was consisted of dense connective tissue. The thickness of dermis varied depending on the body region, reaching its maximum length of I mm on the epigastrium. The hypodermis consisted of dense connective tissue that was bound to the skin tightly. The thickness of dermis was up to 3 mm and it was the thickest part of the skin of all examined samples