Quantitative and morphological variation of sweat glands, skin thickness, and skin shrinkage over various body regions of Sahiwal Zebu and Jersey cattle

Abstract

By comparison with Jerseys the sweat glands of Sahiwals were 70% longer, 55% wider, and 315% greater in mean volume. Total sweat gland volume per unit area of skin was 340%, greater and skin thickness was 60% greater, but skin shrinkage was 30%, less. The density of sweat glands was 1130/cm2 for Jerseys and 1200/cm2 for Sahiwals. In almost all animals the characters varied significantly between the various body positions, and in most cases showed trends. Values for the generally adopted midside sampling position were usually within 10% of the mean value for all positions. Sweat gland shape varied over the body. Most of the shapes observed in the two species were present in one position or another within each animal.