Erythemal Response of Biologically Denuded Sheep to Sunlight and the Effects on Skin Structure and Wool Growth

Abstract

Minimal erythema was produced in the skin of three Merino sheep, which had been denuded with cyclophosphamide, with I . I sunburn units of solar erythemal ultraviolet radiation, as measured by a magnesium tungstate detector. The pigmented skin of two Suffolk sheep required 1·7-4·2 sunburn units, depending on the degree of pigmentation. A single dose of 5 sunburn units induced encrustation of the skin 4 days later in both the Merinos and Suffolks.