Sweat glands in Zebu (Bos indicus L.) and European (B. taurus L.) cattle. I. Size of individual glands, the denseness of their population, and their depth below the skin surface

Abstract

Number of sweat glands per unit area of skin, their size, and their depth below the epidermis were compared in skin biopsy specimens obtained from the midside region of two Zebu and three European breeds of dairy cattle. Within Zebu breeds, comparisons were made between sweat glands from the midside and the dewlap. Zebus were found to have much larger and more numerous sweat glands than European animals. Within Zebus, sweat glands were slightly larger, and much more numerous, on the midside than on the dewlap. They are much closer to the skin surface in Zebu cattle than in European. In Zebus sweat glands are longer and of greater diameter than in European cattle. In appearance they are sac-like, with few convolutions, whereas sweat glands in European cattle are rarely sac-like, and quite convoluted.