An evaluation of the New Zealand Wiltshire sheep as a model for
studies on the physiology of fibre growth
A.L. Parry; A.J. Pearson; R. Morris; L-A. Still
MAF Technology, Flock House Agricultural Centre, Private Bag,
Bulls, New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1991, 51: 365-370
Wiltshire Horn sheep exhibit an annual moult in spring and
potentially provide a model for studies on the seasonality of wool
growth. Twelve, 1 year old New Zealand Wiltshire ewes (Wiltshire Horn
with some Poll Doreset in ancestry) were kept indoors under natural
light and fed concentrates and hay. The sheep were cored for extent of
fleece shedding every 2 weeks and skin sampled monthly for histological
determination of primary and secondary follicle activity. Follicle
activity reached a peak in summer and autumn (January to April) with low
activity over winter (May to August) resulting in partial or entire
shedding of the fleece in spring and early summer (September to
December). There was evidence of a subsidiary shedding cycle in the
primary follicles in early summer. Seasonal follicle activity was
higher and longer in duration than previously recorded in British
Wiltshire Horn ewes maintained on pasture. Four sheep with highly
seasonal follicle activity cycles were identified as suitable for
further studies on the endocrine control of wool growth. Such sheep can
be selected from skin samples collected in June, July and August when
follicle activity is at a seasonal minimum.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
