Effect of decapitation on the foetal skin in piglets

The effect of decapitation on the skin of foetal piglets was studied and the structure of the neonatal skin of decapitated piglets Was compared with that of the intact littermales. In decapitated piglets, the epidermis was undifferentiated with its outermost layer conspicuously thick. Except the basal cells, other cells were vacuolated. Few primary epithelial germs and buds were visible in the superficial dennis. The skin was hairless and, in general, the development of the dermis appeared to have ceased at a certain stage affecting the growth of other skin appendages.