Sweat gland measurements in some tropical and temperate breeds of cattle in Nigeria

Abstract

SUMMARYMuturu (Bos taunts) cattle had a higher density of sweat glands in the skin (2208/cm2) than N'Dama (Bos taurus) (1776/cm2) and White Fulani (Bos indicus) (1584/cm2) cattle. Mean gland volume was 10·46,4·95 and 3·06 × 106 μ3 and length/diameter ratio (shape) of the glands was 3·97, 3·85 and 3·15 in N'Dama, Muturu and White Fulani cattle respectively.Results of similar studies with German Friesian cattle in the same environment gave a gland count of 1968/cm2, a mean gland volume of 14·1 × 106 μm3 and a length/diameter ratio of 5·73.Sweat gland measurements were generally higher for Friesian cattle than for zebu cattle and cattle of indigenous Bos taurus breeds.Regional differences in the parameters were generally significant. The relevance of the results to the adaptability of the various breeds of cattle to the tropical environment are discussed.