Assessment of hair and cashmere properties and their genetic background of several goat breeds in Southwest China

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the properties and quality characteristics of hair and cashmere fibres of three goat breeds raised in Southwest China, namely; Dazu black goat (DBG, n = 203; ♂99, ♀104), Inner Mongolia cashmere goat (IMCG, n = 65; 21♂, 44♀) and their first cross (F1, n = 79; 39♂, 40♀). Totals of 5219, 2130 and 2981 fibre samples, from the three breeds respectively, were taken prior to shearing at 32.5 ± 01.25 months of age from four body sites; shoulder, side-portion, abdomen and leg. Breed effect was significant (P < 0.01) for most hair and cashmere properties. IMCG and F1 hair lengths were longer (P < 0.001) with less variable lengths than DBG. Shoulder hair diameters of the three breeds were not different (P > 0.05) but biggest of the side-portion and abdomen sites of DBG were bigger (P > 0.01), however, the biggest (P < 0.001) hair diameter was recorded for the leg site of F1 and the smallest (P > 0.01) for IMCG. IMCG recorded the longest value for cashmere lengths followed by DBG, while F1 recorded the lowest (P = 0.001), whilst F1 recorded the biggest (P = 0.001) diameter whereas no differences existed between parents' breeds. The cortical cell lengths of IMCG and DBG were 94.57 and 86.85 μm without significant difference detected between breeds. Differences between hair length and diameter for body sites of the studied goat breeds were significant (P < 0.01) but between whiteness, cashmere diameter and diameter of cortical cells were not. Sex had no significant effect on all hair/cashmere properties. Quality characteristics of cashmere fibres from IMCG and F1 were better (P < 0.001) than from DBG. Leg hair diameter, curl recovery rate and cashmere diameter were superior in the crossbred F1 compared to pure breed parents, and DBG was superior to IMCG for fibre elasticity and intensity traits. FGF-5 gene was detected as a candidate gene for hair and cashmere traits in IMCG breed. Whilst, KIT gene was found to be associated with coat colour in the studied breeds. Extra investigations to examine more cashmere goat breeds and crosses are needed to discover genetic variability in cashmere production locally and worldwide.

History of the Goat and Modern Versus Old Strategies to Enhance the Genetic Performance

“…Goats are primarily raised for milk production, mainly for industrial cheese making, but also for producing traditional cheeses on farms. Because of rising consumer demand, strong prices and climate change, there is an emerging market for goat milk in countries with no goat milk traditions, such as China, United States and New Zealand [76,77].…”

“…Oestrus cycles in goats last on average for 16 days, with a high frequency of short cycles occurring during reproductive seasons and in young animals [81]. Oestrus lasts on average 36 hours but can vary between 24 and 48 hours depending on factors such as age, season, breed and presence of a male [82].…”

“…All of the above processes will help producers to manage their herd more efficiently and breed their does to produce kids that will fit a specific market niche to command a maximum price. Worth mentioning, the major constraints to the reproductive management of goats are lack of data on the reproductive performance, especially of domestic goat breeds and the seasonal nature of breeding [82].…”

“…There is a seasonal effect on male fertility (semen production and quality) in goat. Significant seasonal effects were reported in the Murciano-granadina, Alpine, Saanen and Damascus, Payoya, Damascus, Rayini, Zairi, Jakhrana, Blanca Andaluza, Anglo Nubian, Brazilian, Spanish breeds such as 'Payoya goat' and Peshawar dairy goats [82]. However, semen quality for goat has a high-quality level in different seasons probably due to the high reproductive ability of males [83].…”

Age-Related Variations in the Population of Active Secondary Hair Follicles, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Parameters in Cashmere Goats

“…The quality and economic value of cashmere fiber primarily depend on its length and fineness, with particular emphasis on the latter. Various factors, including genetic factors [1] and non-genetic factors [2] such as nutrition, environment, sex, type of birth, age, etc., influence both the yield and quality of cashmere fiber. Therefore, it is of great significance to investigate these influencing factors to enhance both aspects.…”