TLDR Feed restriction in sheep leads to finer wool fibers but may reduce wool quality.
The study investigated the impact of feed restriction on wool protein composition and fiber structure in merino sheep. Over a 42-day period of induced weight loss, there was a significant reduction in wool fiber diameter. Additionally, there were notable increases in the expression of high sulfur protein KAP13.1 and proteins from the high glycine-tyrosine protein KAP6 family. These changes suggest that while finer wool fibers may be produced under feed restriction, they may also have reduced wearability and appearance retention, which has important implications for the wool industry.
100 citations,
December 2002 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry” Researchers mapped and categorized specific keratin-associated protein genes on human chromosome 21q22.1.
38 citations,
May 2000 in “Livestock production science” Giving high-quality protein or methionine supplements helps improve hair growth in Angora goats and, to a lesser extent, in Cashmere goats.
235 citations,
July 1999 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry” Human hair is made up of different keratins, some strong and some weak, with specific types appearing at various stages of hair growth.
2 citations,
September 2022 in “Frontiers in genetics” Different proteins are linked to the varying thickness of sheep and goat hair types.
10 citations,
November 2021 in “International journal of molecular sciences” Sheep and goat hair fibers are complex due to keratin-associated proteins, which are important for fiber properties and growth.
October 2022 in “BMC genomics” RNA editing significantly affects hair growth and follicle cycling in the Tianzhu white yak.
38 citations,
May 2000 in “Livestock production science” Giving high-quality protein or methionine supplements helps improve hair growth in Angora goats and, to a lesser extent, in Cashmere goats.
The research found that people's hair proteins vary, especially by ethnicity and body part, which could help identify individuals in forensic science.
