On the relationship between wool quality and the type and concentration of blood potassium in sheep

Erythrocyte Glutathione Polymorphism in Sheep

“…Although these correlations reach a high degree of statistical significance in the GSH H group, even after correction for age, they appear to be too low to be used as predictors for growth. Taneja, Narayan, and Ghosh (1969) have shown a relationship between wool fibre diameter and the frequency of the LK gene and the actual level of potassium in the erythrocytes of LK animals. We have confirmed this relationship between erythrocyte potassium level and fleece weight and fleece quality (Evans et al, unpublished observations).…”

On increasing wool weight through breeding LK-type sheep

“…Recently Taneja, Narayan & Ghosh (1969) have reported on the relationship of the quality of wool to the concentration of blood potassium and the frequency of the gene for low potassium (K L ) in sheep and their results have now been confirmed by workers in Australia (Agar, Evans & Roberts, 1972;Evans et al 1973). Taneja et al (1969) also observed that fine-wool bearing breeds are largely homozygous for the LK gene (K L K L ) and have the lowest concentration of potassium in their blood.…”

“…Recently Taneja, Narayan & Ghosh (1969) have reported on the relationship of the quality of wool to the concentration of blood potassium and the frequency of the gene for low potassium (K L ) in sheep and their results have now been confirmed by workers in Australia (Agar, Evans & Roberts, 1972;Evans et al 1973). Taneja et al (1969) also observed that fine-wool bearing breeds are largely homozygous for the LK gene (K L K L ) and have the lowest concentration of potassium in their blood. From a series of experiments conducted by Taneja and his colleagues (Taneja et al 1969;Taneja, 1970;Taneja, 1972;Taneja, 1973) it has been concluded that Indian LK sheep are largely heterozygous (K L K H ) for the blood potassium gene and LKxLK (K L K H xK L K H ) mating and * Present address: Joint Commissioner (sheep), Ministry of Agric.…”

Genetic differences in metabolism of farm animals

“…Also, as mentioned previously, LK or HK sheep red cells which have an amino acid transport defect have lower Na+K concentrations than normal. Within the HK and LK classes there are marked breed differences, and plasma K concentrations also may be influenced by breed (Taneja, Narayan & Ghosh, 1969;Eagleton, Hall & Russell, 1970).…”