Genetic manipulation to modify wool properties
C.S Bawden, N.M. Penno, C.J. McLaughlan, S.K. Walker, P.I. Hynd
and G.E. Rogers
Cooperative Research Centre for Premium Quality Wool, Department
of Animal Science, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond,
Adelaide, South Australia, 5064.
E-Mail:
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
2000, 60: 147-154
Over many centuries, genetic selection of sheep for particular
meat and wool traits has made steady progress and given producers the
opportunity to choose from a broad spectrum of well defined breeds.
Selection for specific features of body frame or fleece has resulted in
the emergence of true "meat" breeds (e.g. Poll Dorset, Suffolk, Texel)
and other breeds highly valued for their fleece characteristics (e.g.
Merino, Romney). Whilst such selection tends toward the outer limits of
genetic variation among sheep, the sheep genome itself and natural
mutation rates provide an inbuilt restriction to genetic change and the
appearence of new phenotypic varieties. In comparison, the use of
transgenesis to add specific functional sheep or non-sheep genes to the
sheep genome has the potential to greatly expand the phenotypic range
possible among sheep. For example, in a preliminary sheep transgenesis
experiment using a cortical type II keratin intermediate filament
transgene, we have shown it is possible to alter fibre structure and
properties. The fact genes from any species may be used in the
transgenesis process provides many experimental options simply not
possible using the sheep genome alone. This paper is a discussion of
some of the recent attempts to modify the genotype/phenotype of wool
producing breeds using transgenesis. In particular, results of the
earliest programmes designed to modify wool fibre properties and fibre
growth rates are reviewed.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Sheep transgenesis; Wool fibre properties; fibre growth rates.
Last Updated 12-07-2000
