The current work focuses on studying
the histomorphological characterizations
of the skin of Egyptian water
buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and onehumped
camels (Camelus dromedarius).
Therefore, few in depth histological,
morphometric and immunohistochemical
comparative studies
are so far available. This study was
carried out on the skin specimens of
fourteen adult, male Egyptian water
buffaloes and one-humped camels
(seven/each). Buffalo's skin showed
several histological similarities with
that of camel, but there were some
histomorphometric and immunohistochemical
differences. In spite of
being the epidermis of buffalo significantly
thicker than in camel, the
horny layer of camel's skin was significantly
thicker than buffalo, in addition,
it appeared laminar and weavy,
while that of buffalo appeared compact.
Hair follicles were more numerous
in camel than in buffalo while
sweat glands had larger diameter in
buffalo. The secretory epithelium of
the sweat glands varied from cuboidal
with central nuclei in buffalos
to columnar with basal nuclei in
camels. Immunohistochemically, vimentin
and melanosome were overexpressed
in camels than buffaloes.
It is concluded that buffalo's skin was
thicker than camel, which put it up for
the production of skin quality requirements
of the leather industry.
However, higher vimentin content in
camel skin may suggest higher tensile
strength than in buffalo. Furthermore,
it is reported that over
expression of melanosome in camel's
skin than buffalo may play a role
in photoprotection against harmful
sunny rays in harsh hot climate of
the desert.