V. I. Kosilov1 , O. A. Bykova2, E. V. Razhina2 , E. A. Nikonova1 , Yu. A. Yuldashbaev3 , I. A. Rakhimzhanova1 , R. G. Kalyakina1
1 Orenburg State Agrarian University, Orenburg, Russia
2 Ural State Agrarian University, Ekaterinburg, Russia
3 Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Moscow, Russia
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Volume 26 No. 4
Date of paper submission: 25.02.2026, date of review: 11.03.2026, date of acceptance: 19.03.2026.
Published: 04/30/2026
Abstract. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of age and genotype of heifers on the development of skin microstructure. Methods. The scientific and economic experiment was conducted at Kolos LLC in the Orenburg Region. The study involved Red Steppe heifers (dairy), Simmental (combined), and Kazakh White-Headed (beef) breeds. Experimental testing of heifer skin samples was conducted using generally accepted classical methods of histological examination of animal tissue. Scientific novelty. For the first time, comparative histological studies of the skin of dairy, combined, and beef heifers were conducted across age groups. Results. Kazakh White-Headed heifers in all cases demonstrated better development of the structural elements of the glandular apparatus of the skin. Their superiority over their peers of the Red Steppe and Simmental breeds in the thickness of the reticular layer at the age of one year was 288.3 μm (14.26 %) and 136.2 μm (6.27 %), respectively, at 18 months – 344.6 μm (14.33 %) and 136.2 μm (6.27 %), the total thickness of the skin – by 236.0 μm (11.03 %) and 159.8 μm (4.96 %), 560.3 μm (15.06 %) and 292.4 μm (7.33 %). Heifers of the Kazakh White-headed breed were distinguished by a larger diameter of collagen fibers in the skin, a diamond-shaped ligature from the weave. The skin of Red Steppe and Simmental heifers was characterized by a smaller number of hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands, and a shallower location within the papillary layer. Due to their more developed skin, beef heifers are better adapted to the conditions of mechanized feedlots in the Ural region. This, along with other data obtained, can be used in breeding to analyze constitutional characteristics and predict the adaptation of young cattle of varying productivity to industrial production and adverse environmental factors.
Keywords: cattle breeding, Red Steppe, Simmental, Kazakh White-Headed heifers, heifers, skin, skin microstructure, age
For citation: Kosilov V. I., Bykova O. A., Razhina E. V., Nikonova E. A., Yuldashbaev Yu. A., Rakhimzhanova I. A., Kalyakina R. G. Age- and breed-specific characteristics of the histostructure of the skin of heifers of different productivity levels. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (04): 681‒691. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-04-681-691. (In Russ.)
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