Effect of Sex and Seasonal Changes on New Zealand Rabbit Fur under Egyptian Semi-Arid Conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of season and sex on New Zealand White rabbits' fur under Egyptian semi-arid conditions. A total of 40 rabbits (20 males and 20 females) aged 3.5 to 4 months were used during two subsequent seasons; summer and winter (20 rabbits in each season). Skin samples were taken pre-slaughtering to determine the histological and histochemical parameters and skin layer thicknesses. After slaughtering and chrome tanning of skinned furs, the mechanical and chemical properties were determined on the chrome tanned furs. The current study was detected variations in the skin characteristics and tanned fur properties due to both season and sex. The summer and females skins were thicker in papillary layer vs. reticular layer than winter and males skins to accommodate the increment of the follicle activity. Additionally, the skins' follicles of both summer and females skins were denser and smaller which produced finer fibers with lower homogeneity than those of the corresponding winter and males ones, respectively. Therefore, both summer and female tanned furs were the lower quality due to the decrement in reticular layer thickness and increment of follicle density. The study concluded that all skins had most fibers < 30 µm and thus their furs are suitable for using without causing irritation to humans when worn next to the skin. Also, the tanned furs could be used in garment leather manufacturing after reinforcing with textile padding.