Effects of season and lower ambient temperature on the structure of the sweat glands in anhidrotic horses.

Abstract

Histological studies of the sweat glands of anhidrotic horses in the Hong Kong summer and under conditions of reduced thermal stress, both natural and controlled, were undertaken to determine if glandular regeneration occurs. Clinical data were collected for comparison with the histological results in each instance. Horses were assigned to one of three categories on the basis of the resulting change in the number of thin glandular profiles in a cooler environment. Group 1, which was classed as normal, had a low initial value, which was maintained. Group 2, typical of mild and moderately affected animals, had a high initial value, which fell markedly after as little as six weeks in the cool environment. Animals in Group 3, classed as severely affected, had a high initial value which remained high even after prolonged exposure to the cool environment. Light microscopical examination of the sweat glands in the heat, and after six weeks in a cool environment, provided a means of predicting the degree of anhidrotic severity and the potential for recovery in a cool climate. This was superior to clinical observation, although a diagnostic test based on glandular function is still required.