Micrometrical Studies on the Hair Follicles at Different Areas of Skin in Iranian Lambs

In this study, all the hairs and their follicles characteristics of Iranian Bakhtiari sheep were investigated. A total of 48 healthy Bakhtiari sheep (aged 5-8 months) were selected and categorized on the basis of sex (24 females and 24 males). Samples were taken as small pieces from different regions of the skin, fixed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The following indices in each piece of skin were tested: total number of primary and secondary follicles per one mm , depth of primary and secondary follicles, width of 2 primary and secondary hairs, width of primary and secondary follicles, the ratios of number, depth and width of secondary follicles to primary follicles. The one-way ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple range test were used to analyze the data and detect of significant differences. No significant difference was observed among all the various regions of skin. Results showed that except WS, HS/P and WPH, the means of all morphometric indices were affected by sex. Micrometrical measurements suggested that the Bakhtiari sheep may be characterized by an NS/P ratio of 0.08 to 1.72, primary follicle number of 1.67-12.67/mm2, wool follicle number of 0.33-9/mm2, primary follicle depth of 580-1193.33 μ and wool follicle depth of 40-380 μ.