Variation in the Exon 3–4 Region of Ovine KRT85 and Its Effect on Wool Traits

The study examined the exon 3–4 region of the ovine KRT85 gene in 463 Merino × Southdown-cross lambs, identifying two variants, A and B, with frequencies of 55.6% and 44.4%, respectively. Variant A was associated with increased greasy and clean fleece weights, while variant B was linked to a higher wool prickle factor. The genotypes AA, AB, and BB were observed with frequencies of 32.6%, 46.1%, and 21.3%, respectively. These results suggest that KRT85 variations could serve as gene markers for improving wool traits through selective breeding, though further research across different sheep breeds is necessary to validate these findings.