Application of Differential Interference Contrast microscope in studying of Camelus dromedaries skin

A significant species differences are existed between the skins of the animals according to their lifestyle. The camel is clearly adapted for a desert, and its skin differs in the arrangement and morphology of the hair follicles from that of other domestic mammals. Differential interference Contrast microscope (DICM) is related optics give a specimen a three dimensional appearance that enhance depth of focus so that thicker specimens can be observed at higher magnifications. Consequently, this study was designed to dissect the microanatomy of camelid skin and to investigate the arrangement of its layers and structure with special emphasis on sweat glands by validating a differential interference contrast microscope. Skin sample were collected from different regions of five animals (Camelus dromedaries) that slaughtered at Al-Najaf abattoir/Republic of Iraq. The samples were kept in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed routinely for histopathological sectioning and examined under DICM. The results of this study revealed a clear structures of all layers and its cells of the camelids skin. Moreover, DICM revealed the distribution and structure of sweat and sebaceous glands together with the organization of hairs and their follicles that vary from other mammals. In conclusion, this study approved the validity of DICM in the examination of camelids skin. The authors recommend to apply this tool in examination of normal skin sections as well as validate this technique in diagnosis of skin diseases.