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In this study wool follicle characteristics of Iranian sheep breeds were investigated. A total of 242 male and female sheep of different age from 5 breeds were studied. Samples of skin were taken from the right midside to determine follicle characteristics. Overall averages for males and females were 3.7±0.1 and 3.5±0.1 for S/P ratio; 3.2±0.1 and 3.6±0.1 for primary follicle density; 12.1±0.7 and 13.8±0.4 for secondary follicle density; 15.3±0.7 and 17.4±0.4 for total primary plus secondary follicle density; 2.3±0.2 and 3.5±0.3 for percentage of inactive secondary follicles. Significant differences were found in some follicle characteristics between sheep breeds. Results of this study showed that sheep breeds raised in different parts of Iran characterized by a low S/P ratio

This experiment was conducted to identify some aspects of follicle characteristics and the extent of follicle inactivity of cashmere goat breeds kept in different provinces of Iran. A total of 212 male and female cashmere goats of different age from five breeds of cashmere goats were studied. To determine follicle characteristics and the percentage of follicle inactivity, samples of skin were taken from the left midside of animals. The overall averages for males and females were 11.4 and 10.5 for secondary to primary follicle (S/P) ratio; 2.9 and 2.7 for primary follicle density; 31.1 and 30.3 for secondary follicle density; 34.1 and 33.0 for total primary plus secondary follicle density; 21.7 and 22.4 for percentage of inactive secondary follicles. Significant differences were found in S/P ratio, follicle density and activity between the goats. Large variations existed between individual goats in the percentage of inactive secondary follicles ranging from 8% to 70%.

This experiment was conducted to identify some aspects of follicle characteristics and the extent of follicle inactivity of dromedarius and bactrianus camels kept in different provinces of Iran. A total of 190 dromedarian and 11 bactrian male and female camels were grouped into different age classes. To determine follicle characteristics and the percentage of follicle inactivity, samples of skin were taken from the right midside of animals. The overall average S/P ratio, primary follicle density, secondary follicle density, total primary plus secondary follicle density and percentage of inactive secondary follicles of dromedarian camels were 6.3 ± 0.1, 4.2 ± 0.1, 26.0 ± 0.4, 30.1 ± 0.4 and 29.2 ± 1.2 and of bactrian camels were 8.5 ± 0.4, 3.8 ± 0.2, 29.1 ± 1.4, 32.8 ± 1.3 and 31.2 ± 4.7 respectively. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference was found in some follicle characteristics between the camels. Large variations existed between individual camels in the percentage of inactive secondary follicles ranging from 7% to 74%. © 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.

This experiment was conducted to determine the extent to which follicle shutdown and fibre shedding are related to staple strength, and to characterise the histological changes in the wool follicles and fibres of sheep after exposure to elevated cortisol levels. Twenty one South Australian, Strongwool Merino rams (mean fibre diameter 21.6±0.8 μm) were allocated to one of 5 groups with similar mean staple strength and clean wool production. Groups 1 to 5 were injected with 2.86, 1.42, 0.56, 0.19 and 0 mg of cortisol/day/kg liveweight respectively for 4 weeks. Wool growth rate was estimated by clipping a tattooed patch on the midside of the animal at 4-weekly intervals. Fibre diameter was measured on these samples. Staple length was measured every 4 weeks by the dyebanding method. Follicle activity was gauged by histological changes in skin biopsies taken weekly. Blood samples were collected every 2 weeks and plasma cortisol measured. At the end of experiment, wool staples were taken from the shoulder, midside and rump sites for measurement of staple strength. Increased plasma cortisol concentration significantly (P