Investigations of wool follicle morphology and cell
proliferation in sheep with different levels of wool production
S.A. Holle, P.M. Harris, A.S. Davies
Department of Physiology and Anatomy, Massey University,
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1992, 52: 273-276
Preliminary results are given of a study of follicle differences
between a progeny-tested fleeceweight (FWT) line of sheep and a control
(CLT) flock which was conducted during winter. Measurements using
immunocytochemistry and image analysis on skin biopsies were based upon
the use of intracutaneously administered bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to
assess the replicating cell population in wool follicles. The FWT
animals showed a significant advantage over the CLT animals in number of
replicating cells, papilla length, papilla area and area of replicating
zone in the follicle bulb. There were no significant differences
between the flocks in the ratio of primary to secondary follicles or in
the number of active follicles. The mitotic density was similar in both
flocks. The greater productivity of FWT sheep appears to be accounted
for by a larger proliferative zone rather than a higher cell replication
rate.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Wool follicle; cell proliferation; BrdU, ICC; wool; selection;
fleeceweight.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
