Polymorphism of Keratin Gene KRT71 and Its Relationship with Wool Properties in Gansu Alpine Fine-Wool Sheep

July 2025 in “ Animals ”

Fangfang Zhao, Zhaohua He, Hongxian Sun, Jiqing Wang, Xiu Liu, Zhiyun Hao, Mingna Li, Shaobin Li

KRT71 keratin hair follicle inner root sheath gene polymorphism

Studysummary This study in Gansu alpine fine-wool sheep identified two SNPs in the KRT71 gene that significantly affect wool length, with distinct expression patterns observed in hair follicles, suggesting KRT71 as a candidate gene for enhancing wool production traits. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study on 315 Gansu alpine fine-wool sheep examined the polymorphism of the KRT71 gene and its impact on wool properties. Researchers identified two SNPs, SNP1 and SNP2, in the KRT71 gene, with the GG genotype associated with significantly longer mean staple length (MSL) of wool compared to other genotypes. The KRT71 protein showed strong expression in the inner root sheath, suggesting its role in hair follicle development and wool growth. These findings highlight the potential of KRT71 gene polymorphisms in enhancing wool production traits, with implications for breeding programs aimed at improving wool quality. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended.

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