Melanin and dopa-positive cells in the skin of tropical cattle

Various histochemical and histological techniques were used to study the melanin and dopa-positive cell distribution in the skin of some tropical and temperate breeds of cattle in Nigeria. Melanin pigments were concentrated in the basal and lower spinous layers of the epidermis and in the hair cortex, follicle sheaths and papillae of the various breeds. In the White Fulani and N'Dama breeds, melanin pigments were however found in all layers of the epidermis. Dopa-positive cells (melanocytes) were observed in the epidermis, dermis and hair follicles; the distribution pattern varied among breeds, being copiously disposed in the basal epidermis and papillary dermis in the White Fulani and Muturu and, except in areas of thick epidermal ridges, scanty in the epidermis and dermis of the Friesian and N'Dama. Mast cell distribution pattern in the various breeds was similar to that of the dopa-positive cells. Peroxidase-positive cells were present in the basal epidermis and upper dermis of the Muturu, widespread in the subepidermal layer of the N'Dama and very scanty in the dermis of the White Fulani and Friesian. Acid phosphatase activity was intense in the granular layer of the Muturu and N'Dama breeds and also in the papillary dermis and hair follicles, whereas alkaline phosphatase-positive dendritic cells, and 'clear' cells were also observed in the basal and upper epidermis.