The ultrastructure of the interdigital web in experimental zinc deficiency of ducks

A study of the ultrastructure of interdigital webs of zinc-deficient ducks revealed nuclear changes and reduced quantities of diffuse ribosomes and tonofilaments in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum. Prickle cells were particularly severely affected and had diminished keratinization, loss of desmosomes and increased intercellular spaces. At first their other cytoplasmic organelles were not involved but ultimately degeneration and an associated heterophilia occurred. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of zinc in cellular metabolism.