Wool characteristics in the third generation of Arkharmerino × Ghezel and Arkharmerino × Moghani crossbreed sheep

Abstract

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the comparative productive performances and effect of some environmental factors on wool characteristics of Arkharmerino × Ghezel (Ar × Gh) and Arkharmerino × Moghani (Ar × Mo) crossbreed sheep. The mid-side fleece samples taken from animals during 2 years (2007-2008) were analyzed. Each sample was measured for average fiber diameter, fiber diameter variability, staple length, proportion of medullated fiber, proportion of kemp, and comfort factor. The comparative values for these fleece characteristics in F(3) generation Ar × Gh were 28.78 ± 0.48 μm, 36.84 ± 1.16%, 11.94 ± 0.35 cm, 7.07 ± 0.93%, 1.02 ± 0.23%, and 68.93%, respectively; while those traits were 29.79 ± 0.43 μm, 41.86 ± 1.16%, 11.96 ± 0.37 cm, 8.13 ± 1.06%, 2.71 ± 0.45%, and 63.33 ± 3.66% for Ar × Mo, respectively. The effects of genotype, sex, birth type, and year of birth were analyzed. Genotype had a significant (P < 0.01) effect on average fiber diameter and proportion of kemp, and Ar × Gh crossbreeds had lower diameter with less proportion of kemp. The two differences in fiber characteristics that were attributable to sex were fiber diameter variability and proportion of medullated fiber, and females had higher measure than males for both traits. Statistical analysis showed that crossbreeding with Arkharmerino generally had positive effects on the fleece favored to be used in the hand woven authentic carpet production.

Fiber Quality of Iranian Carpet-Wool Sheep Breeds

“…There was significant difference in the percentage of coefficient of variation of fiber diameter between different sexes, ages and breeds of sheep. A significant effect of sex on coefficient of variation of fiber diameter in sheep of current study is in agreement with the results found in Naeini sheep (Dashab et al, 2006) and Arkhamerino × Ghezel and Arkhamerino × Moghani crossbred sheep (Esfandyari et al, 2011). The impact of sex on coefficient of variation of fiber diameter could be associated with hormonal differences between both sexes.…”

“…The 9.8% medullated OCF in the present study is similar to that reported for Arabi (10.9%) (Ashmawi & El-Azzawy, 1980), lower than those in the Awassi sheep in Jordan and Iraq (12%) (Tabbaa et al, 2001), Moghani sheep in Iran (18.36%) (Farahvash et al, 2010) and higher than those in the Ossimi (5.3%) and Rahmani (2.3%) sheep (Maria et al, 1992), Arkhamerino × Ghezel and Arkhamerino × Moghani crossbred sheep (7.1% and 8.1% respectively) (Esfandyari et al, 2011), Ghezel sheep (9.42%) (Farahvash et al, 2010). Proportion of medullated fiber in fine wool breeds is about 0.1%-0.5% (Lupton et al, 2004).…”

Study of correlation between reaction time and refractory period (as indices of libido) with semen characteristics in ArkharMerino×Moghani and Baluchi×Moghani rams

“…Several crossing experiments in sheep are currently in progress, most of which are based on local breeds. It is expected that crossbreeding can lead to combination of favorable characteristics from Arkhar Merino (Rafat and Shodja, 2010;Esfandyari et al 2011). However, there is no information on the reproductive performance of these crossbred rams.…”

Genetic analysis of fleece and post-weaning body weight traits in Makuie sheep

“…Significant effects of birth type on weight and fleece traits have previously been reported in other sheep breeds, such as Afrino (Snyman et al, 1995), Merino (Rose and Pepper, 1996), and Arkharmerino (Esfandyari et al, 2011). Birth type influenced traits mainly in immature animals, and significantly affected GFW1, GFW5, BW6, BW9, and BW12 (P < 0.001).…”