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In this research, we determined the optimum conditions for production of extracellular keratinase in Exiguobacterium sp DG1, and showed the possibility of application of the keratinase for sheep skin dehairing process. Strain DG1 showed the highest productivity of the keratinase activity during the growth in sheep hair meal (SHM) medium (pH 8) containing 10 g/L of SHM with aerobic incubation at 27°C for 48 hours. Moreover, dehairing process using an extracellular keratinase from strain DG1 decreased several index parameters in the treatment wastes. For example, in the treatment wastes using keratinase from strain DG1, COD and BOD values decreased drastically (82.1% and 73.7% respectively), compared to chemical dehairing process, and sulfide content was very low (less than 0.01 mg/L). These facts indicate that the extracellular keratinase from strain DG1 possesses a great potential of application for green leather tanning industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective pursued in the research was determining how that is expressed on the genotypes of a new type the most important characters participating and influencing directly the commercial value and the aesthetic of pelts obtained from Karakul sheep breed from Botoşani. The researches were carried out in the year 2016 on two batches of lambs placed in Iaşi County and respectively in Botoşani. The purpose of the studies was represented by the evaluation and predetermination how colors are transmitted in various kinds of pairing where one of the Karakul breed of genitors belongs to the Karakul of Botoşani breed, the gray variety. Another aim of the research carried out over the course of the study was represented by the appreciation of the real skills for production of sheep pelts belonging to the reminded colour variety, effectives in a continuous process of improvement. Working methods applied were those typical of this kind of determination, and the results obtained having the role to certify the degree of improvement of the Karakul of Botoşani breed for some characters of production, but also the manner in which the colors are transmitted in different variations of crossings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Alkaline protease from Conidiobolus brefeldianus was efficient in unhairing various types of skins and hides. The crude protease preparation was active toward keratin-azure, elastin-orcin, azocasein, and azocoll, but did not show true collagenase activity. In addition, the crude enzyme exhibited other enzyme activities such as chondroitinase, laminarase, and chitinase. Complete hair removal of skin/hide by the protease achieved in 16-18 h. The dehaired pelt showed smooth and white appearance due to hair removal along with epidermal layer. In addition, the grain was clean and without damage in enzymatically dehaired pelts. The microscopic observation of the cross-section of dehaired goat skin and cow hide showed absence of epidermis, hair shaft with empty follicles. Enzymatic dehairing resulted in complete and uniform fiber opening in the dermis and corium region. Physical properties viz. tensile strength, elongation, and tear strength of dyed crust of enzymatically and conventionally dehaired pelts were comparable. Results were also validated on large scale with goat skins and cow hides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the particularities of Moldovan Karakul lambs hide features and identify factors influencing its quality. The research was conducted on Karakul sheeps in sovhoz "Kotovschi" from Căinari district and Experimental Station of the National Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, from Anenii Noi district, Republic of Moldova. The lambs hide thickness was determined according to the purpose of research, through the palpation and measurement methods using cutimeter (foldimeter) on the lambs evaluation, made on the next day after being born, and measuring under the microscope using eyepiece micrometer on histological samples of hide, taken for evaluation purpose. The density and hide reserves were determined by the palpation method at the evaluation. The research results have shown that the qualities of Karakul lambs hide is related to a number of factors both internal and external. The Moldovan Karakul lambs have thicker hide compared with Asian Karakul lambs, average hide thickness measured with cutimeter on the evaluation constituting 2.0 to 2.6 mm. Features of lamb hide qualities are correlative link between them and a string of other characters, such as curls size, curls type, lamb constitution, class of evaluation, age of ewes-mothers at birth, etc. Hide thickness of Moldovan Karakul lambs is in a positive phenotypic correlation with the size of their curls and ewes-mothers at birth, and in negative correlation with hide density, reserve hide, fertility, type of curls and general class of its own. The hide of Moldovan Karakul lambs after evaluation is suitable dense (83.8% of individuals) and very dense (12.8% of individuals), being in positive phenotypic correlation with the type of curls and in negative correlation with hide thickness and lamb constitution. Karakul lamb's hide reserve after evaluation is, in the majority, free (from 46.1 to 72.0% of individuals) and folds (at 12.9 - 26.9% of lambs), being in positive phenotypic correlation with the type of curls, hide density and class of its own, and in negative correlation with the thickness of the hide and its own constitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research purpose was the comparative appreciation of different evaluation systems for fur skin characters and features at Karakul lambs and methods of rams testing by the progeny fur skin qualities, by emphasizing of those advantages and disadvantages. Research has been done on breeding sheep from experimental farm of INZMV Maximovca, Anenii Noi district, and CAP „Agrosargal” from Hânceşti district. As a result of research has been found, that, the category of rams amelioration obtained as a result of the application of the terminological system of fur skin characters and features assessment at lambs appreciation and of simple testing method by the progeny fur skin, will not be afterwards confirmed, in proportion of 85%, when the decimal system of scoring is applied in order to appreciate the characters and features of lamb fur skins and will be used the biometric method of scoring, by testing the rams after the progeny fur skin qualities. Moreover, some rams that were qualified as reducing (worsen), as a result of testing after the progeny fur skin qualities by the simple method, have become ameliorator breeders, as a result of their testing after the biometric scoring system of progeny fur skin qualities and, reverse, other rams, which were qualified as enhancers in testing result by simple method, became reducers, as a result of their testing by biometric scoring method. It was concluded, that only application of terminological system assessment of Karakul lambs and of the simple method of rams testing after the progeny fur skin qualities are not enough for an objective evaluation of breeders amelioration category. The conclusions made as a the result of testing with simple method application are often unreliable and contradictory, The use of decimal scoring system at Karakul lambs assessment and of biometric scoring method at testing rams after the progeny fur skin qualities, permits objective, genotypic evaluation of breeders amelioration category by determining the certainty criterion of the conclusions regarding amelioration degree of each ram apart. As a result of research was proposed a classification of Karakul rams by the amelioration value in following categories: I degree ameliorator - whose progeny exceeds by score ranking, the flock level with td ≥ 3.3 (B ≥ 0.999). II degree ameliorator - whose progeny exceeds by score ranking, the flock level with td ≥ 2.6 - 3.2 (B ≥ 0.99). Ordinary ameliorator - whose progeny exceeds by score ranking, the flock level with td ≥ 2.0 - 2.5 (B ≥ 0.95). Relative ameliorator - whose progeny exceeds by score ranking, the flock level with td ≥ 1.6 - 1.9 (B ≥ 0,90). Neutral - whose progeny doesn't have a certain positive difference comparing to flock level. Certain reducer - whose progeny surrenders by score ranking, the flock level with td ≥ 1.6. Relative reducer - whose progeny surrenders by score ranking, the flock level up to td <.1.6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes comparative aspects of the qualitative features of lamb pelts in two populations of lambs belonging to two farm types of Karakul sheep: elite farm within the R-DSSGB and private farm within the SGBA "MOLDOOVIS" Botosani. The qualitative analysis of lamb pelts by the complex (multifactorial) estimation method revealed the morphological and production superiority of individuals from elite farm compared to those from private farm concerning their distribution in zootechnical (breeding) classes. In the elite farm three quarters of lambs are in Record class and a quarter of them belong to Elite class; the presence of individuals in Ist class is sporadic. In contrast, in the private farm, half of individuals fall within the Elite class and only a third of them are in the Record class; the lambs belonging to 1st class have a relatively high frequency. Differences between the two farms regarding the lamb pelt quality have statistical assurance validated by high value of the test X² (253.39***). The differences between the two types offarms, in this respect, would be caused by the accuracy of selection system and of reproduction process. In the elite farm the selection pressure is more intense and the activities of selection and mating matching are made with a higher accuracy than in the private farm. Also, in private farm the selection was focused on immediate commercial characters (shape and size of curls) whereas in the elite farm the selection works took into account the setting of some finer characteristics (such as lustre and quality of hair fibre). However, due to the fact that in both populations the zootechnical classes IInd and IIIrd are missing shows that in both kinds of farms the animal selection is made accurately, with rigor distinctions between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheepskin refers to the hide taken from a sheep and is composed of a layer of skin and the attached hair. It has unique fabric handle properties, and sheepskin quality assessments generally depend on a subjective hand evaluation via sensory test. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the fabric handle of sheepskin mechanically. For this study, we focused on perceived elasticity, and attempted to clarify the relationship between the tactile sensation and the mechanical properties of sheepskin through the development of a new three-dimensional tactile sensation measurement system (3D-TSMS) to measure the compression properties in three axial directions. For compression testing, the compression parameters were calculated as follows: compression linearity (LC), compressional energy (WC), compressional resilience (RC), compressional flexibility coefficient (αmax), pressure relieving energy (ΔEPR), and continuous mean deviation (CMD), etc. As a result of compression testing, the sheepskin samples which were highly rated for their perceived elasticity showed a convex curve during the initial compression process. In the statistical comparison analysis, LC, CMD, and ΔEPR showed a correlation to the perceived elasticity of sheepskin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In recent years, the East African region has seen an increase in arboviral diseases transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods. Effective surveillance to monitor and reduce incidence of these infections requires the use of appropriate vector sampling tools. Here, trapped skin volatiles on fur from sheep, a known preferred host of mosquito vectors of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), were used with a standard CDC light trap to improve catches of mosquito vectors. We tested the standard CDC light trap alone (L), and baited with (a) CO2 (LC), (b) animal volatiles (LF), and (c) CO2 plus animal volatiles (LCF) in two highly endemic areas for RVF in Kenya (Marigat and Ijara districts) from March–June and September–December 2010. The incidence rate ratios (IRR) that mosquito species chose traps baited with treatments (LCF, LC and LF) instead of the control (L) were estimated. Marigat was dominated by secondary vectors and host-seeking mosquitoes were 3–4 times more likely to enter LC and LCF traps [IRR = 3.1 and IRR = 3.8 respectively] than the L only trap. The LCF trap captured a greater number of mosquitoes than the LC trap (IRR = 1.23) although the difference was not significant. Analogous results were observed at Ijara, where species were dominated by key primary and primary RVFV vectors, with 1.6-, 6.5-, and 8.5-fold increases in trap captures recorded in LF, LC and LCF baited traps respectively, relative to the control. These catches all differed significantly from those trapped in L only. Further, there was a significant increase in trap captures in LCF compared to LC (IRR = 1.63). Mosquito species composition and trap counts differed between the RVF sites. However, within each site, catches differed in abundance only and no species preferences were noted in the different baited-traps. Identifying the attractive components present in these natural odors should lead to development of an effective odor-bait trapping system for population density-monitoring and result in improved RVF surveillance especially during the inter-epidemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present investigation was to study the genetic relationships between pelt quality traits (shade of fleece, size of curl, score for fleece colour, score for curl, score for quality of hair, score for thickness of fleece, sum of pelt scores, and overall score) on one hand and maternal ability, live weight, and carcass traits on the other hand for the Gotland sheep breed. Data were received from the Swedish Sheep Recording Scheme and included observations on 4-month weight (4MW) and pelt quality for 51,402 lambs and on weight (CW), fatness (FAT), and fleshiness (FLESH) of the carcass for 12,440 lambs. The lambs were born during the period 1991–2003. When maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects were included in the model direct heritabilities for the pelt quality traits varied between 0.16 and 0.25. Maternal heritabilities (0.01 to 0.05) and common environmental variances as a fraction of the total phenotypic variances (0.07 to 0.10) were low. Maternal heritabilities were higher for 4MW (0.11) and CW (0.12) than for the pelt quality traits. Direct-maternal genetic correlations were both for the pelt quality traits and for 4MW and CW generally negative and low to medium high. Direct genetic correlations between pelt quality traits on one hand and 4MW, CW, FAT or FLESH on the other hand were low (−0.16 to 0.12). Maternal genetic correlations between pelt quality traits and 4MW or CW were positive and high (0.38 to 0.96). It was concluded that breeding for increased growth and improved carcass quality would not influence pelt quality negatively or vice versa. If maternal genetic effects are considered for 4MW and CW in the breeding program for the Gotland sheep breed, selection for maternal effects on 4MW and CW will have positive effects both on lamb weight and pelt quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Morphological traits of diaspores that can predict their potential attachment to animal coats may help to model epizoochory in plant populations and communities. The present study tested the role of seed mass, shape and the presence of dispersal structures in the attachment potential of a sample of 14 abundant species in Mediterranean grassland and shrubland, using sheep and cattle coats that were shaken mechanically using a standardized protocol. We also tested recently proposed predictive models for the attachment potential of diaspores. Attachment potential measured on cattle hide was low in comparison with sheep wool for all types of diaspores. Differences between vertically and horizontally positioned coats were significant only for cattle, in which attachment potential was higher in vertically positioned coats. Seed weight was highly significant to predict attachment potential in sheep coats, but yielded significant results only in the case of vertically positioned cattle coats. In both cases, light seeds were best retained. Shape yielded marginally significant results only in the case of horizontally positioned cattle coats. In this case, elongated seeds seemed to be best retained. The presence of appendages in diaspores was significant only for sheep, in which attachment potential was higher for seeds with appendages. Recently proposed predictive models for the attachment potential were found to be highly robust for predicting this parameter in sheep coats, and thus support their generalization for this type of coat. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents information on the origin and history of the use of wool from Spanish Merino sheep. The coat of the wild Mouflon sheep on Corsica and Sardinia survives in the kempy hair breeds of the tropics and its survival can be interpreted as being due to the lack of stimulus to breed a woolly fleece for clothing in a hot climate. The idea of using parchment to investigate fleece evolution is provided. The summary of all the ancient Palestinian wools is given. Illustrations and records of Ancient Greek and Roman Sheep are presented.