Dermatotoxicity of Agricultural Chemicals in the Dorsal Skin of Hairless Dogs

Abstract

Dermatotoxicity of agricultural chemicals (ACs) with or without ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was histologically examined using hairless descendants of Mexican hairless dogs. ACs examined were pentachlorophenol sodium salt, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (DCPAA), Maneb, and Zineb. One day after cessation of the 7-day AC treatment, the skin treated with DCPPA and Maneb indicated only slight histological changes. The UV+AC-treated sites had as much pigmentation as the control sites. Fourteen days after cessation of treatment, dogs treated with Maneb showed marked reactions such as epidermal degeneration, vasodilation, and intradermal infiltration of inflammatory cells. These histological changes were more severe in the UV+AC-treated sites. Zineb induced comedones with well-developed pilosebaceous glands. These results suggest that hairless dogs may be useful laboratory animals for the investigation of dermatotoxicity of ACs in conjunction with UV irradiation.