Differential Expression of Immune Genes between Body Side Skin and Groin Skin of Aohan Fine Wool Sheep

[Objective] To get major genes for wool traits regulation from immune genes. [Methods] Microarray technology was used to detect differentially expressed immune genes between body side skin （more wool growing） and groin skin （no wool growing） of Aohan fine wool sheep. [Results] 46 immune genes （fold change 〉2.0） were identified and classified, and then 6 of which were selected for QPCR confir- mation. The degree of consistency of the QPCR and microarray results was 66.67%, [Conclusion] Immune privilege may participate in wool growth regulation.

Studies on Wool-Eating Ailment in Guizhou Semi-Fine Wool Sheep

The clinical symptoms of a disorder which is known locally as ＂wool-eating ailment＂ in Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in the Weining County of Guizhou Province, China, are poor weight gain, lost appetite, pica, emaciation, and wool-eating. The mineral composition of forage, and samples of blood, liver and wool from Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in affected ranches were compared with those from the unaffected areas. The mean concentration of iron in forage from affected pasture was significantly higher than that from the unaffected pasture. The mean concentration of sulfur in forage from the affected and unaffected pasture was similar and within normal ranges. The mean concentration of sulfur in blood, liver and wool from the affected Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep was significantly lower than that from the unaffected sheep while the content of iron in blood, liver and wool from the affected sheep was significantly higher than that from the unaffected sheep. Oral administration of calcium sulfate prevented and cured the disease. We concluded that the disease of Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in the Weining County is due to S deficiency caused by the high Fe in forages.

Identification of SNPs and expression patterns of FZD3 gene and its effect on wool traits in Chinese Merino sheep(Xinjiang Type)

As a member of the Frizzled family, Frizzled3 (FZD3) is a receptor of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and plays a vital role in mammalian hair follicle developmental processes. However, its effects on wool traits are not clear. The objectives of this study were to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the expression patterns of FZD3 gene, and then to determine whether it affected wool traits of Chinese Merino sheep (Xinjiang Type) or not. PCR-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing were used to identify mutation loci, and general linear model (GLM) with SAS 9.1 was used for the association analysis between wool traits and SNPs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to investigate FZD3 gene expression levels. The results showed that six exons of FZD3 gene were amplified and two mutation loci were identified in exon 1 (NC_019459.2: g.101771685 T>C (SNP1)) and exon 3 (NC_019459.2: g.101810848, A>C (SNP2)), respectively. Association analysis showed that SNP1 was significantly associated with mean fiber diameter (MFD)(P=0.04) and live weight (LW)(P=0.0004), SNP2 was significantly associated with greasy fleece weight (GFW)(P=0.04). The expression level of FZD3 gene in skin tissues of the superfine wool (SF) group was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of the fine wool (F) group. Moreover, it had a higher expression level (P<0.01) in skin tissues than in other tissues of Chinese Merino ewes. While, its expression level had a fluctuant expression in skin tissues at different developmental stages of embryos and born lambs, with the highest expression levels (P<0.01) at the 65th day of embryos. Our study revealed the genetic relationship between FZD3 variants and wool traits and two identified SNPs might serve as potential and valuable genetic markers for sheep breeding and lay a molecular genetic foundation for sheep marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Effects of dietary vitamin E on muscle vitamin E and fatty acid content in Aohan fine-wool sheep

Background： Increasing the polyunsaturated fatty acid （PUFA） content and decreasing the saturated fatty acid （SFA） content of mutton can help to improve its nutritional value for consumers. Several laboratories have evaluated the effects of vitamin E on the fatty acid （FA） composition of muscle in sheep. However, little information is available on wool sheep, even though wool sheep breeds are an important source of mutton, especially in northern China where sheep are extensively farmed. The present study was designed to address the effects of vitamin E on muscle FA composition in male Aohan fine-wool sheep. Methods： Forty-two male Aohan fine-wool lambs （5 mo old） with similar initial body weight were randomly divided into seven groups and fed diets supplemented with 0 （control group）, 20, 100, 200, 1,000, 2,000, or 2,400 IU/sheep/d vitamin E for 12 mo. Three lambs from each group were slaughtered to measure vitamin E and FA content in the Iongissimus lumborum （LL） and gluteus medius （GM） muscles. Results： Vitamin E concentrations in the LL and GM increased significantly after 12 mo of vitamin E supplementation （P 〈 0.05）. However, this increase did not occur in a dose-dependent manner because the muscle vitamin E concentration was highest in the 200 IU/sheep/d group. Dietary vitamin E supplementation also caused a significant reduction in SFA content and an increase in monounsaturated FA （MUFA） content in the LL and GM （P 〈 0.05）. All six doses of vitamin E significantly increased cis9 tronsl -conjugated linoleic acid （cgtl -CLA） content in the LL compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions： Dietary supplementation with vitamin E increased muscle vitamin E content and improved the nutritional value of mutton by decreasing SFA content and increasing MUFA and c9tl 1-CLA contents in Aohan fine-wool sheep. These effects were greatest in sheep fed a diet containing 200 IU/sheep/d vitamin E.

Wool characteristics of crossbred Baghdadi wild ram and Iran native sheep

Twenty mid side wool samples of crossbred sheep were collected and their characteristics were determined. Data analyzed by SAS software and Duncan’s multiple range tests was used for comparison of mean wool characteristics. Average fleece weight, yield, wool diameter, Fine fiber and staple length were: 431.59 ± 38.95 gr, 65.14%, 14.24 ± 0.67 μm, 48.67 ± 5.59, and 43.65 ± 4.15 mm respectively. Mean fleece weight was significantly affected (p 1 and F2 generation 11.84 ± 0.58, 16.27 ± 0.72 μm respectively. There were effective differences among ages (12.55 ± 0.74, 14.47 ± 0.58 and 13.11 ± 0.64 μm for 1, 2 and 3 yr old respectively). Wool diameter of younger animals, males and F1 was so fine (12.55, 12.87 and 11.84 μm respectively). Staple length of F2 crosses was significantly longer than F1 crosses (p 1 was significantly finer than F2, but length and down fiber percentage was less than second generation. As wild sheep shed his fiber in winter, the first filial crosses also shed their fibers from the end of winter to early spring. Shedding was seldom observed in F2 generations. It seems likely that wool from crossbred sheep could be used for those applications for which cashmere is suitable. This study indicates that, such crossbred sheep have a superfine wool and could be used in pure or blend for textile industry.

High gene flows promote close genetic relationship among finewool sheep populations(Ovis aries) in China

The aim of our present study was to construct genetic structure and relationships among Chinese fine-wool sheep breeds. 46 individuals from 25 breeds or strains were genotyped based on the Illumina Ovine 50K SNP array. Meanwhile, genetic variations among 482 individuals from 9 populations were genotyped with 10 microsatellites. In this study, we found high genetic polymorphisms for the microsatellites, while 7 loci in the Chinese superfine Merino strain （Xinjiang types） （CMS） and 5 loci in Gansu alpine superfine-wool sheep strain （GSS） groups were found deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium （HWE）. Genetic drift FsT=0.019 （P〈0.001） and high gene flows were detected in all the 7 fine-wool sheep populations. Phylogenetic analysis showed fine-wool sheep populations were clustered in a group independent from the Chinese indigenous breeds such that the 7 fine-wool sheep clustered distinct from Liangshan semifine-wool sheep （LS） and Hu sheep （HY） reflected by different population differentiation analyses. Overall, our findings suggested that all fine-wool sheep populations have close genetic relationship, which is consistent with their breeding progress. These populations, therefore, can be regarded as open-breeding populations with high levels of gene flows. Furthermore, the two superfine-wool strains, viz., CMS and GSS, might be formed by strong artificial selection and with frequent introduction of Australian Merino. Our results can assist in breeding of superfine-wool sheep and provide guidance for the cultivation of new fine-wool sheep breeds with different breeding objectives.

Kenyan Wool Fiber Properties Sampled from Different Sheep Body Parts

This study provides information on fleece characteristics for stakeholders in a wool trade to make sheep farming more viable and profitable for farmers. Wool fiber samples were taken from four sheep body parts of the 95 sheep. Tests were conducted to analyze the fiber diameter,length,color,and strength. Correspondingly,fiber surface morphology and the medullated fibers were also analyzed and the results were reported. The fiber characteristics from the shoulder and flank were better than those shorn from back and belly/legs. From the results, the values of the measured parameters suggest potential for improvement of economical qualities and in fostering the economic and industrial development

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Main Wool Traits in Keerqin Fine Wool Sheep

[Objective]To investigate the population genetic structure of Keerqin fine wool sheep. [Method]The genetic parameters of wool traits in Keerqin fine wool sheep were calculated by employing paternal half sib correlation method. [Results]The traits with high heritability( h≥0. 3) included wool length( 1-year old),wool yield( 1-year old) and wool yield( 2-year old); that with medium heritability( 0. 1≤h≤0. 3) included wool fineness( 1-year old),wool fineness( 2-year old),wool length( 3-year old) and wool yield( 3-year old). There were extremely significant positive correlations between wool fineness( 1-year old) and wool fineness( 2-year old),between wool fineness( 1-year old) and wool fineness( 3-year old),between wool length( 1-year old) and wool length( 2-year old),between wool length( 1-year old) and wool length( 3-year old),and between wool fineness( 2-year old) and wool fineness( 3-year old),with the correlation coefficients of 0. 653 0,0. 625 8,0. 489 6,0. 578 8,0. 578 4 and 0. 554 6 respectively. The results showed that the phenotypic correlation was poorer than genetic correlation among the wool traits. [Conclusion]The wool fineness,wool yield and body weight of Keerqin fine wool sheep all fail to meet the excellent level and need to be improved further.

Subsidy Policies on Wool Sheep and Cashmere Goat Industry at the Background of Sustainable Development

Grassland ecological protection measures such as grazing prohibition and livestock changed traditional production mode of the cashmere goat industry,and exerted adverse influence on production of cashmere and income of farmers and herdsmen.On the basis of the survey in Inner Mongolia,Xinjiang,Jilin,Liaoning,Shanxi,and Yunnan,this paper evaluated effect of subsidy policies on wool sheep and cashmere goat industry and present some existing problems in the implementation of these policies.Finally,it came up with following recommendations:strengthening cultivation and protection of wool sheep and cashmere goat varieties,increasing subsidy level of fine varieties and expanding coverage of subsidy policies,formulating wool sheep and cashmere price supportive measures,enhancing construction of wool sheep and cashmere goat sci-tech service system,and promoted standardized production of cashmere goat.

Evaluation certain environment factors on wool characteristics of Arabi sheep breeds

Evaluation and grading of wool based on sex and age can help to improve economic value of wool. This study was conducted to investigate the wool production and fleece characteristics of Arabi sheep in Khuzestan province The right mid-side wool samples were taken from 90 Arabi sheep (1 - 4 years;16 male and 74 female) by hand shearing. The staple length of shoulder, flank and rump were 13.18 ± 0.27, 13.31 ± 0.22 and 14.27 ± 0.25 cm, respectively. The greasy fleece weight, wool wax, vegetable matter, yield percentage, fiber diameter and its coefficient variation measures were 1.72 ± 0.06 Kg;2.77% ± 0.12%;0.54% ± 0.07%;73.36% ± 0.68%;30 ± 0.41 μm;30.23% ± 0.3% respectively. Correspondingly, the medulated fibers, true wool fiber and Kemp fibers were 21.6% ± 1.9%, 76.1% ± 2.04% and 2.5% ± 0.57% respectively. Age and sex had a significant influence on staple lengths. Fleece weight (P < 0.01) and wool wax were (P < 0.05) affected by sex. There was no significant interaction between age and sex groups for fiber characteristics, but it was important for staple between body location (P < 0.05). There were a low considerable kemp and CV of wool diameter percentage on Arabi sheep in comparison with the other Iranian native sheep. The wide variation in fleece weight (0.8 - 3.9 kg);mean staple lengths (8.8 - 19.2 cm);medulated and kemp (0 - 84.04 and 0% - 30.22%);fiber diameter (24.9 - 37.43 μm) suggest potential for improvement of economical traits.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Main Economic Traits in Keerqin Fine Wool Sheep

To investigate the population genetic structure of Keerqin fine wool sheep, the paternal half sib correlation method was employed to estimate the body weight traits, genetic and phenotypic correlation between fleece traits in the Keerqin fine wool sheep. The results showed that the correlation coefficients were 0.690 1, 0.593 1, 0.581 2, 0.210 2 for birth weight with weaning weight, body weight at one week of age, body weight at two week of age, and body weight at three week of age, respectively. The genetic correlations were highly significant （ P 〈0.01 ） for the four pairs of traits. The correlation coefficients were 0.373 3, 0.274 1, 0.268 2 for weaning weight with body weight at one week of age, body weight at two week of age, and body weight at three week of age, respectively. The genetic correlations were also extremely significant （ P 〈 0.01 ） for the three pairs of traits. The correlation coefficients were 0.712 0, 0.805 0, 0.717 1,0.701 9, 0.531 6, 0.719 0, 0.681 3 and 0.521 3 for wool fineness at one week and two week of age, wool fineness at one week and three week of age, staple length and fleece weight at one week of age, staple length at one week and three week of age, fleece weight at one week of age and wool fineness at three week of age, wool fineness at two week and three week of age, wool fineness at two week of age and fleece weight at three week of age, and fleece weight at two week and three week of age, respectively. The high genetic correlations were extremely significant （ P 〈0. O1 ） for the eight pairs of traits. The phenotypic correlations were generally lower than the genetic correlations.

Heritability Estimate for Aohan Fine-wool Sheep's Main Economic Characters

Objective] This study aimed to estimate the heritability of Aohan fine-wool sheep＇s main economic characters. [ Method] Half-sib correlation in sire method was adopted to estimate Aohan file-wool sheep＇s Birth Weight（BW）, Weaning Litter Weight （WLW）, Weaning Litter Staple Fineness（WLSF）, One-age Staple Fineness（OASF）, One-age Staple Length （ OASL）, One-age Wool Yield（OAWY）, Main Economic Characters of One-age Aohan fine-wool sheep, Two-age Staple Fineness （TASF）, Two-age Staple Length （TASL）, Two-age Wool Yield （TAWY）, Two-age Weight （TAW） after cropping. [ Result] The heritability was 0.1 -0.7. [ Conclusion~ The heritability of Aohan fine-wool sheep＇s main characters was middle-and-high.

Investigation of the Development of Farming Professional Cooperatives of Cashmere-goat and Wool-sheep in China

Based on the data from the survey of cashmere-goat and wool-sheep in 12 demonstration counties of China's main producing areas in 2012,the development of farming professional cooperatives of cashmere-goat and wool-sheep was analyzed from aspects of status quo,problems and causes,and some suggestions about cooperation cognition and mode,service capacity,personnel training,system improvement and preferential policies were put forward to promote the development of the farming professional cooperatives.

Variations in Wool Growth with Nutrient Supply in Northern China

Field studies on essessment of nutritional status of the grazing sheep were carried out in each of the three major grassland regions, the eastern Inner Mongolia and beyond grassland, the Inner Mongolia - Ningxia - Gansu grassland and the Xinjiang grassland, in northern China. The results obtained showed that the wool production of fine wool sheep in these regions varied between regions and seasons, with similar seasonal patterns in all regions and that reducing the seasonal variations in nutrient supply would enhance wool production substantially. Nutritional limitations to wool growth of the grazing sheep in these regions were suggested, those were: the shortage of protein supply in winter and early spring; the poor quality of much of the pasture and the hay used as supplements, the low energy intake during winter which probably necessitated the use of body stores to maintain body temperature.

Application Effect of Key Technology for Fine WoolProduction

By analyzing the gap between China and foreign countries in fine wool production, combined with the practical experience of fine woolproduction, the application effects of sheep clothing full coverage technology, mechanical shearing technology, wool grading and collection technology, scale packaging technology and standardized shearing environment control technique were evaluated, in order to provide reference for popularization and application of fine wool production.

Expression Pattern of IGF-I Gene and Correlation between Its SNPs and Growth Traits in Sheep

This study was to investigate the expression pattern of IGF-I gene and correlation between its SNPs and growth traits in sheep.The expression patterns of IGF-I gene in brain,muscle,skin,liver and heart of Liangshan semi-wool sheep were detected at six growth stages（15,60,105,195,240 days） by employing qRT-PCR approach,and the correlation between SNPs of IGF-I gene and growth traits via SSCP method.The first inflection point of IGF-I gene expression was observed at day 105 in all five tissues.From 15-105 days IGF-I gene gave a decline-ascending trend in muscle,brain and liver,while it did not vary significantly during day 15-day 60 and was up-regulated in heart and liver at day 105.Whenafter,the expression level was down-regulated in liver,while that in muscle,heart,brain and skin assumed the second inflection point.The expression levels of IGF-I gene in brain and skin at day 195 were significantly higher than that at day 150 and day 240.These suggest the synchronous expression of IGF-I gene in all five tissues.Two SNPs located at the leader region and exon 3 of IGF-I gene were middle or low polymorphic.The SNP locus detected with primer P-1 was significantly correlated with birth weight of Liangshan semi-wool sheep（P 〈0.05）,while that detected with primer P-2 was significantly correlated with weaning weight and the weaning daily gain（P 〈 0.05）.The expression of IGF-I in all tissues had the similar developmental patterns,and strong correlation of the SNPs of IGF-I gene was confirmed with the eary growth traits to provide theoretical basis for the growth regulation and applying to assisted selective breeding with the SNPs in liangshan semi-wool sheep.

细毛羊主要毛用性状检测及其评定方法

羊毛品质的检测方法、检测标准在推动毛纺工业发展、羊毛贸易以及细毛羊育种中具有重要作用。通过归纳国内外相关文献及标准,总结了国内外主要毛用性状及其检测标准;依据已有标准并结合国内在生产中的实际应用,详细介绍了2个羊毛产量性状与6类羊毛品质性状的客观测定方法,最后系统介绍了澳大利亚和中国开发的羊毛表型目测评定方法。文章可为开展羊毛纤维品质的统一测定和评估提供参考。

HSPA2和SPATA6在彭波半细毛羊睾丸组织中的细胞定位及表达差异分析

热休克蛋白A2(HSPA2)是热休克蛋白HSP70家族重要成员,能够促进睾丸支持细胞增殖;精子发生相关基因6(SPATA6)能够调控肌球蛋白合成的微丝运输系统,影响精子细胞骨架形成。在雄性哺乳动物生殖过程中,两者均起重要作用。为研究HSPA2和SPATA6在雄性彭波半细毛羊生殖过程中的表达规律和细胞定位,以不同年龄阶段(3月龄、12月龄和3岁龄)彭波半细毛羊睾丸组织为研究对象,运用实时荧光定量PCR(real time quantitative PCR,qRT-PCR)、Western blot和免疫组织化学染色法(IHC)从转录和翻译水平检测了HSPA2和SPATA6在不同年龄阶段彭波半细毛羊睾丸组织的表达水平和分布模式,分析预测HSPA2和SPATA6在彭波半细毛羊睾丸发育和精子发生过程中的调控作用。结果表明:12月龄和3岁龄彭波半细毛羊睾丸组织中HSPA2 mRNA的相对表达量以及蛋白表达量极显著高于3月龄(P<0.01);12月龄SPATA6 mRNA的相对表达量以及蛋白表达量极显著高于3月龄(P<0.01),显著高于3岁龄(P<0.05)。不同年龄阶段彭波半细毛羊睾丸组织的支持细胞和间质细胞中HSPA2和SPATA6蛋白均有分布。初步推断,HSPA2和SPATA6的表达水平变化在调控彭波半细毛羊精子发生过程和促进精子成熟中具有重要作用。

彭波半细毛羊屠宰性能与肉质特性研究

为更好地开发利用彭波半细毛羊遗传资源,从西藏自治区林周县种羊场选取相同饲养管理条件下的8月龄彭波半细毛公羊和母羊各8只,测定了屠宰性能和肉质特性。结果表明,8月龄彭波半细毛母羊的背膘厚度、背最长肌干物质含量、脂肪含量、必需氨基酸含量、必需氨基酸/氨基酸总量(EAA/TAA)、必需氨基酸/非必需氨基酸(EAA/NEAA)、单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)、多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)和n-6 PUFA含量均显著高于公羊(P<0.05);公羊背最长肌的亮度(L^(*))、剪切力、水分含量、鲜味氨基酸、非必需氨基酸/氨基酸总量(NEAA/TAA)、二十碳二烯酸含量和花生四烯酸含量均显著高于母羊(P<0.05)。且公、母羊肉的EAA/TAA均超过40%,EAA/NEAA均在67%左右。综上说明,8月龄彭波半细毛羊羊肉属于优质蛋白质,母羊肉的嫩度和营养价值优于公羊肉,公羊肉的色泽更鲜亮、口感更鲜美。

不同年龄阿勒泰母羊毛绒品质性状分析

为了研究不同年龄阿勒泰羊毛绒品质表型性状的差异,为阿勒泰羊选育提供参考数据,试验采集了439只1.5~5岁阿勒泰母羊的毛样进行分析。结果表明:年龄因素对阿勒泰羊绒毛纤维直径、手排长度影响极显著(P<0.01),对绒毛单纤维强度影响显著(P<0.05);1.5岁个体的绒毛纤维直径最细,2岁个体绒产量最高,5岁个体的绒毛纤维直径、手排长度极显著高于其他年龄(P<0.01),1.5岁个体的绒毛单纤维强力极显著高于其它年龄(P<0.01);阿勒泰羊绒毛纤维直径与手排长度、单纤维强度呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),绒毛含量与粗毛白度、粗毛光泽度、断裂伸长百分比呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),绒毛白度与绒毛光泽度(R=0.998)、粗毛白度、粗毛光泽度呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。此研究结果为阿勒泰羊毛绒品质评定以及优良种畜选育工作提供可靠依据。