EXPERIMENTAL MODIFICATIONS OF THE PIG SKI N RELIEF

The evolution of the cutaneous relief depends on physiological and phy sical parameters such as sex, ageing, hydratation, radiations and vari ed cutaneous applications. Composed of plateaus crossed by valleys, th e skin surface topography can be studied by a 3D topographic and a 2D profilometric analysis of the distribution of the relief parameters. O ur study, realized on the flanc skin of 5 Large White pigs, showed the effects of 5 physical or chemical factors on skin microrelief. A 8 Gy irradiation (beta rays) had no effect on the skin relief parameters w hen an elevation of the skin temperature (43 degrees C for 5 minutes a nd 15 minutes before the analysis) decreased by 15 to 30 % the extreme and middle vertical amplitude parameters. The applications of Biafine emulsion 3 hours before analysis had no effects, when physiological s aline, 15 minutes before analysis, had a very lowering effect on the m ean parameters of the skin microrelief. The application of DMSO for 5 minutes and 15 minutes before the analysis, increased by 30 % the extr eme parameters. In any case, horizontal amplitude parameters did not c hange. As pig skin shows an analogy with human skin, larger sudies cou ld be done in toxicological conditions before to be validated in human s.