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A note on the fleece characteristics of Oxford Down sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. L. Ryder  and
M. F. Walker
M. L. Ryder
Affiliation:
AFRC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
M. F. Walker
Affiliation:
AFRC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
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Abstract

Fleece measurements were made in a closed flock of Oxford Down sheep being maintained by random mating. The original 20 ewes were sampled in 1970 and another 20 of the 30 ewes were sampled in 1980. Staple length, mean fibre diameter and secondary/primary follicle ratio were similar at the two sampling times. There were more inactive follicles in 1980 and more follicles with multiple fibres, but the differences were not significant. The appearance of some medullation and pigmentation in 1980 could have an environmental rather than a genetic cause. Follicles intermediate between primaries and secondaries were observed, and in all fibres the bilateral structure was clearly visible.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 40 , Issue 1 , February 1985 , pp. 181 - 183
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1985

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References

REFERENCES

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