Comparative histological study of the skin layers of black goats in north Iraq

In this study the histological characteristic of skin layers in black goat in Kurdistan region were investigated. A total of 10 male black goats of different ages were studied. Samples of skin were taken from the different regions of body (back, flank, abdomen and scrotum) to determine the thickness of epidermis, dermis with its layers papillary and reticular, thickness of whole of skin, hair follicles of skin with (primary and secondary follicles) and other skin appendages. The result show there was variation between the thickness with different layers of skin samples, the whole thickness of dermis were recorded in flank region 2688 μm, 1887.2 μm in abdomen while in back and scrotum was less 1536 μm, 1248 μm respectively, and the whole thickness of epidermis of back region were more than abdomen, scrotum and flank region. The whole thickness of skin was 2793.2 μm, 2092.4 μm, 1646.8 μm, 1302 μm in flank, abdomen, back and scrotum respectively. This variation which we founded with this study with variation of skin appendages in different regions of body compared to other studies belongs to farm species of animals.