The Effects of a Novel Caprine Acellular Dermal Powder Hydrogel on The Healing of Full-Thickness Cutaneous Wounds in Iraqi Bucks

Abstract

Skin wounds are important problems which causing suffering for animals and their owners, and their treatment is necessary for animal health, so the purpose of this study is to evaluate how well caprine acellular dermal powder hydrogel (GADPH) promotes the healing of cutaneous wounds in Iraqi bucks. 48 of full-thickness cutaneous wounds (3X3 cm) created on the dorsal back of twelve bucks, each two wounds on both sides. Then, divided into two groups according to treatment method (6 bucks /group). The wounds in the control group (A), were left without treatment. The wounds in treatment group (B) were treated by applying GADPH to the wound beds. The outcomes were assessed clinically (scoring) at 7, 14, and 35 days post treatment (4 samples/animal), and gene expression by RT-PCR of two genes including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) at three times periods 0,7 and 14 days (5 samples/group) and histopathological assessment at (7,14, 35 and 42) days post treatment. Scoring  results of treated wounds showed that the percentages of re-epithelization, contraction, and total wound healing were significantly higher than that of control wounds at the level of (P<0.001) from the first seven days until the end of the study. Also, gene expression of FGF and EGF was considerably higher in the treated group than the control group at the level of (p<0.001). The histopathological results in group B were showed faster re-epithelialization of the epidermis, proliferation of fibrin and regenerated epithelia, dense collagen fibers, and finally complete regeneration of the epidermal layer at the end of study as compared to group A which was showed slowly development in wound healing proses. In conclusion, GADPH enhanced and accelerated the healing of skin wounds in male goats.