168628 20260217205612.0 doi 10.1177/03009858261420280 sideral 148019 ART-2026-148019 eng Gómez, Álex Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-9723-9004 First clinicopathological characterization of body wrinkle condition in Merino sheep and its association with Orf virus infection 2026 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Merino sheep exhibit a high follicular density, enhancing wool yield but predisposing them to inherited cutaneous disorders, such as breech wrinkle, which is characterized by the appearance of multiple skin folds in the breech area. This study provides the first clinicopathological description of the so-called body wrinkle, a congenital skin condition in Merino lambs where the folds affect the whole-body skin. Four affected lambs displayed generalized alopecia with excessive skin folds. Hematological analysis showed neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia. Histological examination revealed follicular dysplasia, follicular keratinization and keratosis, and degeneration of follicular epithelium, particularly in the outer root sheath. The information obtained from pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. All affected lambs exhibited severe OrfV lesions in the oral cavity and muzzle, persisting from 2 weeks of age until death at 1 to 2 months. Our results suggest that body wrinkle condition might favor a more prolonged clinical course and more severe outcome of OrfV infection in lambs. Further genetic and immunopathological investigations are needed. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/AR15-23R info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess All rights reserved http://www.europeana.eu/rights/rr-f/ info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion Quílez, Pablo Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0009-0003-9757-3840 Ruiz de Arcaute, Marta Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-7655-2472 Sanz, Santiago Moncayola, Irati Reina, Ramsés Pérez, Estela Villanueva-Saz, Sergio Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0001-6209-4282 Luján, Lluís Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-2053-9842 Monteagudo, Luis V. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0003-0210-2919 Windsor, Peter A. Asenjo, Lucía Lacasta, Delia Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-7822-6646 1001 420 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Anatom.,Embri.Genét.Ani. Área Genética 1009 773 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Patología Animal Área Sanidad Animal 1009 617 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Patología Animal Área Medicina y Cirugía Animal (2026), [6 pp.] Vet. pathol. Veterinary Pathology 0300-9858 199224 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/168628/files/texto_completo.pdf Postprint 792030 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/168628/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Postprint oai:zaguan.unizar.es:168628 articulos driver 2026-02-17-20:49:23 ARTICLE