In vivo changes in the composition of cattle skin surface lipid with time

The skin surface lipid composition was examined in cattle over a period of 13 days after cleaning the skin at 15 degrees C and 35 degrees C. Little change was observed in the concentrations and fatty acid compositions of all the major sebum fractions other than the unesterified fatty acids. Changes which occurred in the proportions of fatty acids present in the unesterified fatty acid fraction were similar at both environments. At 15 degrees C the total amounts per unit area of unesterified fatty acids on the skin did not alter significantly with time. However, at 35 degrees C there was a significant increase in the total amounts of unesterified fatty acids per unit area and concomitant increases in the amounts of individual fatty acids, in particular linoleic acid.