Trichological analysis on hair of German shepherd dog

Abstract

For species identification the macro and microanatomical study conducted on the guard hair of German shepherd dog, these hair samples were collected by combing method from back, neck, umbilical and tail regions. To know the macro-anatomical features of hair the colour, shape and band pattern of the guard hair was recorded. For assessment of cuticular scale pattern of hair, on a clean glass slide cuticular impressions were prepared and examined under the light microscope to know the detail structure of hair cuticle. For medullary configuration study each hair sample was cleaned with detergent and cleared with xylene then mounted on microscopic slide in a drop of DPX for light microscopic observations. After preparation of histological slides of hair the numerical measurement of cortex and medulla width were taken using an ocular micrometer in micron. For scanning electron microscopic examination, the hair sample was fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde for detailed hair cuticular observations. In German shepherd dogs the colour, shape and band patterns were different in different body regions, while the hair of all body regions were flat. Under microscope it was seen that the hair was made up of cuticle (outermost, cortex (middle) and medulla (central core). The cuticular scales were in the form of regular waves in all body regions. Scale margins were smooth in back, neck and umbilical regions and rippled in tail region. The medulla of hair in all body regions of present study was continuous and vacuolated. The medullary composition was unicellular with a typical cloisonne pattern with single ladder shaped structure in all body regions. The margins of the medulla were smooth and scalloped type. The average medullary index of hair was 0.42 which varied from 0.33 to 0.52.