Histological skin parameters in addition to mechanical and chemical properties of chrome tanned rabbits’ furs were determined in this study to evaluate and compare the quality of some rabbit breeds. Seventy-nine male rabbits aged 3 mo of New Zealand White (NZW, n=27), Rex (RX, n=24) and Gabaly (GB, n=28) were used. Results showed that GB skins had the highest values in skin weight (P<0.01) and area (P<0.05) followed by NZW and RX skins, respectively. Moreover, NZW skins differed in histological structure from the other 2 breeds, as total thickness and thickness of papillary and hypodermis layers in NZW were more than twice those of RX and GB (P<0.05). This structure is caused by an increase in fine collagen fibre bundles in papillary layer and a limited increase in larger collagen fibre bundles in the reticular layer. Furthermore, finished tanned furs properties clarify the superiority of GB furs in values of tensile and tearing strengths followed by NZW and RX, respectively. These results point to the possibility of using the chrome tanned furs of the 3 breeds in leather garment manufacturing.

Sixty growing New Zealand white rabbits aged four weeks were used in this study to assess the effect of age and two feed additives on some fiber traits and skin follicles characteristics. The experiment continued for one month to the age of eight weeks. Rabbits were randomly divided to three groups; the first group was control fed on concentrated pellet, the second group was supplemented with Micronil (1 ml/L of drinking water) as an antimicrobial antifungal compound while the third group was provided with Turbocal forte (1ml/L of drinking water) as a source of minerals and trace elements. At four, six and eight weeks of age, five rabbits from each group were weighed, skin biopsy was obtained from the right flank of each animal and hair samples were removed by a sharp clipper. Skin samples were examined to study the effect of age and treatments on skin follicles characteristics and fiber diameter. The results showed that external diameter, internal diameter, fiber diameter of the primary and secondary skin follicles and S/P ratio increased (P<0.05) at six weeks of age. Wall thickness of primary and secondary follicles increased (P<0.05) at eight weeks of age. The prickle factor increased (P<0.05) with age advance. It accounted for 2.27, 4.68 and 4.67 (%) at four, six and eight weeks, respectively. It seems that there is a critical growth period at the age of six weeks in which the fiber length decreased and the fiber diameter increased. Micronil supplementation decreased (P<0.5) external diameter, internal diameter and fiber diameter of the primary and secondary skin follicles as well as the wall thickness of the primary follicles. Turbocal forte supplementation decreased (P<0.05) the external diameter and the wall thickness of the primary follicle and the fiber diameter of the secondary follicles. Both types of supplementation increased (P<0.05) the average fiber length compared with the control group.

he influence of halophytic diets with or without inclusion with protected fats was studied on the hair follicle dimensions and activity in the skin of Shami goats. Fortytwo adult Shami goats were divided into three groups (14 each) fed on diets with a ratio of 40% concentrate and 60% roughage and drink fresh water twice daily. The roughage in the first group, which representing the control was berseem hay, while in the other two groups were a mixture of 50% Atriplex halimus and Nummularia and 50% pearl millet with presence or absence of protected fats. Skin samples were taken to determine the hair follicle characteristics and activities. Results obtained indicated that feeding trails have small or no significant effects on the hair follicle dimensions or activities between tested and control groups and consequently elevated the negative effects of poor quality fibrous feed on follicle hair production and activity. A slight increase was found in the diameters of fibers from the secondary follicles in contrast with those of primary follicles, which showed a reversible trend. Meanwhile, the medulla thickness of the fibers produced from the primary follicles showed no significant changes corresponding to different feed trails. The histochemical evaluation revealed that significant differences in carbohydrate and protein contents of both primary and secondary follicle sheaths were found between the different treatment groups. The highest values of both carbohydrate and protein contents were recorded in the group which have protected fat in their diet. Animals fed on halophytes supplemented with protected fat were associated with higher sebaceous gland cell and nucleus diameters of both primary and secondary follicles. In an overall of conclusion, from the stand point of the skin follicle activity and hair production, the mixture of Atriplex halimus, Nummularia and pearl millet supplemented with protected fat could T

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of using Barki sheep ewes. Forty-two animals were utilized in the experiment. 14 ewes served as control (given berseem hay as a basal roughage diet), 14 ewes were designed to be given mixture of salt plants at a percentage of (50% Atriplex Halimus and Nummularia and 50% Pearl Millet) and 14 ewes were fed the same diet with propionibacteria (1gm/h/day). Skin samples were taken from different feed trials and prepared for histological and histochemical studies. Wool fibre samples were also examined illustrating some wool traits under the same different feeding treatments. Results indicated a significant enhancement of the follicle activity due to the follicle dimensions, primary follicles exhibited less reaction than secondary follicles (P<0.05). The addition of propionibacteria decreased disturbances caused by salt plants on follicle dimensions. It also enhanced (P<0.05) the production of protein contents in both primary and secondary wool follicle sheathes. There were no differences in carbohydrate contents in the wool follicles of animals in the control group and those fed propionibacteria. Administration of propionibacteria resulted in an increased fibre diameter and wool traits. In conclusion, giving Barki ewes propionibacteria as feed additive enhanced the metabolic activity resulting in an increased wool follicle activity and decreased the negative effect of salt plants on their performance.

This study was performed to through some lights on the effect of salinity stress (i.e. salt tolerant plant feeding and drinking saline water) on skin characteristics (skin layers thickness, follicles area and follicles density) and some physical properties of leather (tensile strength, elongation and tear strength) as well as some physiological responses of male Shami goat. This study was carried out at South Sinai Research Station, Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt. Twenty eight growing male Shami goats were assigned randomly into four equal groups (7 of each).The first group (G1; H&TW) was fed on berseem hay (Trifoliumalexandrnum) (BH) and drank tap water (TDS is 274 ppm) and served as control. The second group (G2; H&SW) was fed on H and drank saline water (SW, 5980 ppm). The third group (G3; STP&TW) was fed on salt-tolerant plants (STP, alfalfa) and drank TW while the fourth group (G4; STP&SW) was fed on STP and drank SW. All groups were offered concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and roughages at the rate of 60:40% to cover their maintenance and productive requirements according to Kearl (1982). Physiological responses in terms of some blood electrolytes (calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and Phosphorus (P) in addition to Triiodothyronine (T 3), Thyroxine (T 4), aldosterone (Ald) and Cortisol (Cort.) hormones were determined. The results revealed that the histological structure (dermis, papillary and reticular thicknesses) of skin didn't differ significantly among the experimental groups except those animals fed STP with SW were significantly (P<0.05) affected. There was a significant (p<0.05) effect of