[Histological and histochemical investigations on the structure of udder skin of cattle with special reference to changes during in vivo udder perfusion models].

Generally, the skin of the bovine mammary gland is found to be similar to the skin of the integument. In the epidermis, the stratum lucidum is lacking. A prominent stratum corneum can be observed as well as in the haired areas and in areas without hairs as well. Distinct granules of melanin are located mainly in the stratum basale in pigmented skin areas. By means of the alkaline phosphatase, dendritc cells can be seen in the basal parts of the epidermis. In the corium, collagenous fibres are less thick below the epithelium, whereas coarse bundles are seen deeper in the stratum reticulare. The appearance of multilobal sebaceous glands and apocrine sweat glands is associated with a hair follicle, which occur loosely distributed as single hairs. A large erector pili muscle is situated on the side of the hair slope. The numerous sweat glands with wide diameters appear below the hair papilla, and vary greatly in shape and size. Myoepithelials cells are seen at the periphery of its secretory portions. The small number of differences in all areas of the skin examined, are reduced to differences between haired areas and the base of the teats. The histologic structure of the epidermis remains unchanged by the perfusion. A partly collagenolysis occur in the dermis and subcutis.