Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-xfwgj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-20T01:58:29.787Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Heritability estimates of wool follicle traits in sheep skin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. A. Abouheif ,
C. LeRoy Johnson  and
M. P. Botkin
M. A. Abouheif
Affiliation:
University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, USA
C. LeRoy Johnson
Affiliation:
University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, USA
M. P. Botkin
Affiliation:
University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, USA
Get access

Abstract

Data were collected from 600 newborn lambs, offspring of 354 Western crossbred ewes and 26 rams, to determine heritability estimates as well as phenotypic and genetic correlations between wool follicle variables using histological techniques. Breed of sire and sire within breed were significant sources of variation in total and secondary wool follicle populations and secondary:primary (S:P) ratio. Heritability estimates calculated by regression of offspring on dam were slightly higher than by paternal half-sib correlation or regression of offspring on sire. Expressed as an average of the three methods of calculation, the heritability estimate for S:P ratio was highest (0·69), followed by estimates for secondary, total and primary wool follicles (0·52, 0·46 and 0·36, respectively). These estimates are similar to the heritabilities of fleece weight, staple length and fibre diameter. Selection for increased density, provided an accurate measure is used, is suggested as an effective means for increasing fleece weight within grade.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 39 , Issue 3 , December 1984 , pp. 399 - 403
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Becker, W. A. 1964. Manual of Procedures in Quantative Genetics. Pullman: Student's Book Corporation, Washington State Univ. (Mimeograph).Google Scholar
Brown, G. H. and Turner, Helen N. 1968. Response t o selection in Australian Merino sheep. II. Estimates of phenotypic and genetic parameters of some production traits in Merino ewes and an analysis of the possible effects of selection on them. Aust. J. agric. Res. 19: 303–322.Google Scholar
Carter, H. B. 1955. The hair follicle group in sheep. Anim. Breed. Abstr. 23: 101–116.Google Scholar
Carter, H. B. and Clarke, W. H. 1957. The hair follicle group and skin follicle population of Australian Merino sheep. Aust. J. agric. Res. 8: 91–108.Google Scholar
Chapman, R. E. and Young, S. S. Y. 1957. A study of wool production per unit area of skin in Australian Merino sheep. Aust. J. agric. Res. 8: 723–732.Google Scholar
Dickerson, G. E. 1959. Techniques for research in quantitative animal genetics. In Techniques and Procedures in Animal Production Research, pp 56·105. Am. Soc. Anim. Prod., Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Harvey, W. R. 1960. Least squares analysis of data with unequal subclass numbers. U.S. Dep. Agric, ARS, 20–8, (Mimeograph).Google Scholar
Henderson, C. R. 1953. Estimation of variance and covariance components. Biometrics 9: 226–231.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jackson, N., Nay, T. and Turner, Helen N. 1975. Response to selection in Australian Merino sheep. VII. Phenotypic and genetic parameters for some wool follicle characteristics and their correlation with wool and body traits. Aust. J. agric. Res. 26: 937–957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Minter, P. C. 1958. Mechanical determination of wool density on sheep. M. Sc. Thesis, Univ. Wyoming, Laramie.Google Scholar
National Research Council. 1975. Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals. No. 5, Nutrient Requirements of Sheep. 5th ed. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Nay, T. and Hayman, R. H. 1969. Relationships between body weight and some follicle and fleece characters in an Australian fine-wool Merino flock. Aust. J. agric. Res. 20: 1177–1187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ryder, M. L. and Stephenson, S. K. 1968. Wool Growth. Academic Press, London.Google Scholar
Schinckel, P. G. 1957. The relationship between follicle number and wool production. Aust. J. agric. Res. 8: 512–523.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schinckel, P. G. 1958. Development and structure of skin and fleece. Proc. Conf. Sheep and Wool Res. Extension Officers, Hawkesbury, Agric. College, New South Wales, Paper No. 29. (Mimeograph).Google Scholar
Shelton, M. and Campbell, F. 1962. Influence of environmental adjustments on heritability of weaning weight of range Rambouillet lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 21: 91–94.Google Scholar
Warwick, E. J. and Legates, J. E. 1979. Breeding and Improvement of Farm Animals. 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, New York.Google Scholar
Young, S. S. Y., Turner, Helen. N. and Dolling, C. H. S. 1960. Comparison of estimates of repeatability and heritability for some production traits i n Merino rams and ewes. II. Heritability. Aust. J. agric. Res. 11: 604–617.CrossRefGoogle Scholar