Foetal wound healing in a large animal model: the deposition of collagen is confirmed.

Foetal wound healing occurs without scarring. A scar is a collagen-rich repair tissue, and the absence of scarring in the foetus has raised questions concerning the presence and nature of collagen deposition in foetal wounds. Studies of collagen deposition in foetal wounds in small animals, performed late in gestation, have been equivocal. In this study, using a large animal with a long gestational period, the sheep, the deposition of collagen is confirmed.