Histological Investigation on the Structural Aspects of Adult Brown Bears' Skin

This study investigated the skin structure of 9 European Brown Bears at the Wildlife Research Centre in Bursa. Skin samples from various body parts revealed that the skin consisted of two main layers: the epidermis and dermis. A network of reticular fibers was particularly noted at the epidermis-dermis border in the neck area. The dermis contained a dense network of collagen fibers, with elastic and reticular fibers interspersed. Around hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, vessels, and nerve fiber bundles, dense elastic and reticular fibers were present. Sebaceous glands comprised only a few cells, and lipid cells were found in the stratum reticulare and around hair follicles, surrounded by numerous nerve fibers. The skin was thinnest on the ventral abdomen and thickest on the back.