EFFECT OF DISRUPTION OF THE SEBACEOUS LAYER OF THE SHEEP''S SKIN ON THE INCIDENCE OF FLEECE-ROT |
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Authors: | P. J. James, G. H. Warren,&dagger |
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Affiliation: | *Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Adelaide, South Australia;†Department of Human Morphology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia |
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Abstract: | It was postulated that integrity of the sebaceous layer on the skin is important in maintaining resistance to fleece-rot. This hypothesis was tested in an experimenta of a 2 x 2 factorial design in which sebaceous layer disruption and wetting were the 2 treatments. The sebaceous layer was disrupted by applying a light petroleum solvent to the skin of the sheep. Fleece-rot occurred in all sheep (20) that were both wetted and had the sebaceous layer disrupted while 9/19 of those wetted but without the sebaceous layer disrupted developed fleece-rot. The fleece-rot lesions observed were more severe in sheep in the disrupted wetted treatments than in the intact wetted treatment. Interpretation of these differences was complicated by a possible reaction of the skin to the solvent used. The differences were not due to an effect of treatment on fleece wettability. No fleece-rot developed in the sheep not wetted and application of the solvent alone did not induce fleece-rot. |
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