We tested whether the abundance of C(4) vegetation in grasslands of the Mongolian plateau is influenced by grazing conditions. The analysis exploited the politically originated contrast that exists between Mongolia (low stocking rate, transhumant system) and the district of Inner Mongolia, China (high stocking rate, sedentary system). We estimated the proportion of C(4) carbon (P(C4)) in grazed...

Wool fiber diameter (WFD) is the most important economic trait of wool. However, the genes specifically controlling WFD remain elusive. In this study, the expression profiles of skin from two groups of Gansu Alpine merino sheep with different WFD (a super-fine wool group [FD = 18.0 ± 0.5 μm, n=3] and a fine wool group [FD=23.0 ± 0.5 μm, n=3]) were analyzed using next-generation sequencing-based...

The group of man-made mineral or vitreous fibres (MMMFs or MMVFs) includes glass wool, rock wool, slag wool, glass filaments and microfibres, and refractory ceramic fibres (RCFs). Experimental observations have provided evidence that some types of MMVF are bioactive under certain conditions. The critical role of size parameters has been demonstrated in cellular and animal experiments, when inta...

Thyroidectomy surgery performed late in gestation results in perturbations in wool follicle development in foetal sheep, showing the importance of thyroid hormones for wool follicle development. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of transient manipulation of thyroid hormone status at a time corresponding with foetal primary wool follicle initiation. Pregnant Merino ewes (n = 1...

effects of lamb and parents coefficient of inbreeding (ci) on wool weight were studied using 10,868 wool records belonging to 3,244 iran black lambs (1,633 males and 1,611 females) representing 96 rams and 995 ewes collected during 1983-2006 from animal breeding station of abbas abad. year and month of shearing, ci of lamb and dam, sex and birth type had significant affect on wool weight among ...

To determine immunologic reactivity to Bacillus anthrax antigens, we conducted serologic testing of workers in a factory that performed scouring of wool and goat hair. Of 66 workers, approximately 10% had circulating antibodies or T lymphocytes that reacted with anthrax protective antigen. Individual immunity varied from undetectable to high.

395 Blowfly strike of Merino sheep in relation to selection strategy, as well as to objective and subjective wool traits S.W.P. Cloete, J.J. Olivier and E. du Toit Animal Production Division, Elsenburg ADC, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa. Irene Animal Improvement Institute, Private Bag X529, Middelburg 5900, South Africa. Tygerhoek Experimental Farm, PO Box 25, Riviersonderend 725...

Today, natural colorants are emerging globally due to the fact that they are safer and more environmentally-friendly. Natural dyes have been employed in dyeing Persian carpet piles for many years. In this study, the dried Achillea was used for dyeing wool yarns. The Iranian wool yarn was scoured, mordanted using Cu, Sn, Al salts and then dyed with different amounts of dried Achillea powder. Tag...