Vol. 10, Special Issue 5 (2021)

Author(s):
Lucy KM, Ashok N, Maya S and Karthiayini K

Abstract:
Regional variation in dermis of the skin was studied in six breeds of rabbits viz., Soviet Chinchilla, New Zealand White, Grey Giant, White Giant, Angora and crossbreds. In total, 36 animals were used for the study and skin samples were collected from six adult healthy animals from each breed. Samples were collected from eight representative areas of the body viz., dorsal nasal region, pinna, dorsal neck, dorsal thorax, dorsal abdomen, ventral abdomen, perineal and carpal regions. Standard procedures were adopted for histological studies. Average thickness of the dermis varied from 1057.75 ± 70.65 µm in White Giant to 2548.86 ± 82.72 µm in crossbred animals. In all the breeds, dermis was thicker in the dorsal regions of the body and thinnest in the pinna region followed by perineal region. The papillary layer was thickest in the dorsal nasal region in all the breeds under study except Soviet Chinchilla where the perineal region showed thickest papillary dermis. Thinnest papillary dermis was seen in the pinna in all the breeds. Wide variation was noticed in the thickness of reticular dermis in different breeds. Maximum thickness for the reticular layer was observed in the dorsal nasal region in New Zealand White, Soviet Chinchilla and crossbred, dorsal neck region in Angora and White Giant and dorsal thoracic region in Grey Giant breed. Reticular dermis was thinnest in the pinna in all the breeds. Histological features of papillary and reticular dermis are also discussed in detail.