Observations on the wool follicle abnormalities in Merino sheep exposed to prolonged wetting conducive to the development of fleece-rot

Abstract

Groups of sheep found to be resistant and susceptible to fleece-rot following prolonged periods of natural and experimental rainfall were used in a preliminary study of the histopathological changes associated with the development of this condition. Wool follicle abnormalities affecting the growth of the wool fibre and inner root sheath were frequently observed. Weakened stretches of fibres, which appeared to result from impaired keratinization, were the sites of fibre breakage in the skin. Hypertrophic thickening and duplication of the inner root sheath occurred, and this material encased the proximal ends of broken fibres to form 'plugs'. The plugs grew vigorously in sheep that developed fleece-rot, apparently breaking the continuity of the skin as they emerged into the fleece. Fragments of plugs, broken wool fibres and exudate were present in fleece-rot bands along with cornified epithelial cells. Attempts to quantify the frequency of these abnormalities were complicated by marked variations in their horizontal and vertical distributions in the skin.