4 citations
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March 2016 in “Small ruminant research” This study examined vicuña skin and hair follicle structures, finding a high density of secondary hairs in fleece areas compared to belly and legs, and identified various types of cutaneous glands potentially important for chemical communication.
116 citations
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January 1957 in “Australian Journal of Agricultural Research” This study analyzed skin specimens from Australian Merino ewes to estimate hair follicle properties across different strains, providing baseline data essential for future genetic studies on fleece structure, but reported no new conclusions.
January 2023 in “Czech Journal of Animal Science” This study found that down and guard hairs of Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goats have distinct protein compositions and physical properties, with keratin-related proteins potentially influencing these differences.
July 2022 in “New Zealand journal of agricultural research” This study found that variation in the ovine KRTAP27-1 gene may influence wool growth, with certain genotypes associated with higher mean staple length and greasy fleece weight in sheep.
February 2026 in “Small Ruminant Research” This study found that specific genetic variations in the IRF2BP2 gene influence fleece structure in sheep, with one variant completely determining coat type and another significantly modifying fiber characteristics, providing valuable insights for improving fleece quality through selective breeding.