Histological Determination of Different Stages of Pelage Development Fur Growth of Mink

Abstract A histological study on pelage development was carried out in a young female mink. Skin biopsies were taken during the growth period of the animal. Auber's SACPIC method was modified and used for staining of skin sections 8–10 μm in thickness. The mean numbers of growing and mature hairs in three types of follicular bundles were counted. Local differences in maturation and shedding of the fur coat were found between bundles containing only underfur hairs and those containing one guard hair in addition to underfur hairs. It is concluded that the method counting separately the number of mature and growing hairs gives means for judging the fur during the maturation process.