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Photodegradation of phosmet in wool wax models and on sheep wool: determination of wool wax bound phosmet by means of isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

The photochemical reactions of phosmet, an organophosphorus insecticide used for plant protection and for control of ectoparasites on productive livestock, were studied in the presence of wool wax. Induced by UV light, phosmet features numerous degradation pathways as well as photoaddition reactions with lipid structure moieties. In model irradiation experiments of phosmet in mixtures of solvents (cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 2-propanol) and fatty acid methyl esters (methyl stearate, methyl oleate, 12-hydroxymethyl stearate), both adjusted to the hydroxyl and iodine values of wool wax, half-lives were determined to be approximately 7 and 16 h, respectively. Irradiation of phosmet on crude sheep wool resulted in a degradation rate of 65% after 24 h. In tracer studies with stable isotope labeled phosmet ([15N]phosmet) in commercial lanolin and on raw sheep wool, employing a sunlight simulator and natural sunlight, wool wax bound phosmet was formed. After extraction and measurement by elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry, delta15N values of the phosmet-free wool wax fractions were notably increased as compared to the value of natural lanolin. Calculated from the delta15N values, an average of 13.9/15.6% (sunlight simulator/natural sunlight) was bound to wool wax lipids after irradiation of thin films of commercial lanolin. In experiments with sheep wool, 13.2 and 15.4%, respectively, were detected as wax-bound.

Animals↗

Genome-wide association study reveals candidate genes associated with body weight and wool traits in Ordos fine-wool sheep.

BACKGROUND: The Ordos fine-wool sheep is a high-quality fine-wool breed in China, renowned for its excellent wool quality, meat production, and adaptability to the arid and semi-arid regions of Inner Mongolia. Body weight and wool traits are important economic characteristics in sheep breeding. This study aimed to identify genetic loci associated with body weight (BW), wool length (WL), and wool fineness (WF) in Ordos fine-wool sheep. METHODS: A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted in 388 Ordos fine-wool sheep genotyped using the GenoBaits® Ovine 40K SNP panel. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BW, WL, and WF were identified, and candidate genes located near the SNPs reaching the suggestive threshold were subjected to functional annotation and enrichment analysis. RESULTS: A total of 22 SNPs were identified as potentially associated with BW, WL, and WF traits, corresponding to 27 annotated genes. Functional annotation highlighted six potential candidate genes, including LAMA2, ARHGAP18, IGFBP2, IGFBP5, CA10, and AXIN1, which may play important roles in regulating body weight and wool growth in sheep. CONCLUSIONS: The identified genes provide valuable candidate loci for BW, WL, and WF traits in Ordos fine-wool sheep. The results of this study provide preliminary references for further exploration of the genetic mechanisms of wool traits in Ordos fine-wool sheep and the development of molecular breeding markers.

GWAS↗

Large-scale low-coverage whole-genome sequencing reveals the genetic architecture of wool and growth traits in fine-wool sheep.

Breeding sheep with superior growth performance and wool quality is essential for the sustainability of the fine-wool sheep industry. In this study, we perform low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (lcWGS) on 3842 individuals from 5 sheep breeds (4 fine-wool and 1 semi-fine wool) and generate a large genomic dataset. By comparing these breeds with coarse-wool sheep, we characterize the genomic landscape and selection signatures of fine-wool sheep. We identify several known functional genes associated with hair follicle development and skin morphology, including EGFR, KRT74, EDAR, EREG, and GLI2. Furthermore, GWAS of 19 traits identifies 156 candidate genes significantly associated with growth and wool characteristics, including LCORL for body size, EGFR for clean wool yield, and PRDM1 for fiber diameter. Notably, EGFR is detected in both GWAS and selection signature analyses, indicating its important role in phenotype formation and historical selection. Overall, our findings reveal the genetic basis of growth and wool traits in fine-wool and semi-fine wool sheep, highlight EGFR, LCORL, and PRDM1 as candidate genes, and provide valuable genomic resources and candidate markers for future functional validation and molecular breeding.

Body size↗

Physicochemical aspects of the liposome-wool interaction in wool dyeing.

Despite the promising application of liposomes in wool dyeing, little is known about the mechanism of liposome interactions with the wool fiber and dyestuffs. The kinetics of wool dyeing by two dyes, Acid Green 27 (hydrophobic) and Acid Green 25 (hydrophilic), were compared in three experimental protocols: (1) without liposomes, (2) in the presence of phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes, and (3) with wool previously treated with PC liposomes. Physicochemical interactions of liposomes with wool fibers were studied under experimental dyeing conditions with particular interest in the liposome affinity to the fiber surface and changes in the lipid composition of the wool fibers. The results obtained indicate that the presence of liposomes favors the retention of these two dyes in the dyeing bath, this effect being more pronounced in case of the hydrophobic dye. Furthermore, the liposome treatment is accompanied by substantial absorption of PC by wool fibers with simultaneous partial solubilization of their polar lipids (more evident at higher temperatures). This may result in structural modification of the cell membrane complex of wool fibers, which could account for a high level of the dye exhaustion observed at the end of the liposome dyeing process.

Animals↗

The effect of zinc deficiency on wool growth and skin and wool follicle histology of male Merino lambs.

The aims of this work were to quantify the requirements of Zn for wool growth in growing male Merino lambs, and to describe the histological lesions of Zn deficiency in skin and wool follicles. Four groups of male Merino lambs (n 4) weighing 22 kg were fed ad lib. for 96 d on diets that contained 4 (basal diet), 10, 17 or 27 mg Zn/kg. Sheep in a fifth group were fed on the diet containing 27 mg Zn/kg, but were pair-fed to sheep on the 4 mg Zn/kg diet. Zn was added to the basal diet as ZnSO4 to give the respective treatment concentrations. Sheep fed on the diet containing 4 mg Zn/kg showed clinical signs of Zn deficiency and lower feed intakes and wool growth than sheep in the other groups. Their wool fibres were improperly keratinized and the wool follicles contained a higher proportion of apoptotic bodies than other groups. There was no evidence of parakeratosis and the rate of bulb-cell production was not affected. Sheep from other groups showed no clinical signs of Zn deficiency, and mean feed intakes and growth rates did not differ significantly between sheep fed on diets containing 10, 17 or 27 mg Zn/kg. However, wool growth was reduced in sheep fed on the diet containing 10 mg Zn/kg compared with those fed on diets containing 17 or 27 mg/kg. The mean concentration of Zn in the plasma at which wool growth was 90% of maximum was 0.5 mg/l. The equivalent value for the diet was 12 mg/kg, with 95% confidence intervals of 8 to 16 mg/kg. The results suggest that Zn deficiency reduces wool growth through a specific mechanism, perhaps involving impaired protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Wool-colonizing micro-organisms capable of utilizing wool-lipids and fatty acids as sole sources of carbon and energy.

Two keratinolytic fungi, Chrysosporium keratinophilum and Malbranchea anamorph of Uncinocarpus reesii, and another three wool-colonizing fungi not previously reported to be keratinolytic, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. Flavus and Scopulariopsis candida, were isolated from soil samples baited with animal wool. These fungi were tested for their ability to utilize wool-lipids as sole source of carbon and energy. The lipid contents of wool of various animals ranged between 2 and 5%. The different lipid extracts were similar in composition; they contained steryl esters, sterols, fatty acids, fatty alcohols and monoacylglycerols. The predominant acyl moiety in wool-lipids of different animals was linolenic acid (18:2). The five fungi tested grew well on an inorganic medium supplemented with total wool-lipids as sole sources of carbon and energy. Individual lipid classes fractionated by preparative thin layer chromatography and suspended into inorganic medium were able to support fungal growth as sole carbon sources. These fungi and another eight wool-colonizing strains, C. tropicum, C. zonatrum, C. anamorph of Arthroderma curryei, Microsporum canis, M. distortum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Emmonsia parva and Myceliophthora vellerae could also utilize standard lipids and fatty acids (cholesterol and palmitic and linoleic acids). Evidence fo the uptake and degradation of cholesterol by C. keratinophilum is presented.

Animals↗

Effects of skirting on yield, fineness, and value of wool from fine-wool range ewes.

Eighty-one mixed-age (2 to 8 yr old) Rambouillet ewes (58.5 kg, SD 5.9 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups that contained similar numbers to study the effects of wool skirting on clean yield, fiber diameter, and prices received for fine wool. The sheep were managed as a single flock on an experimental ranch close to Barnhart, TX during the 4-yr study. Two fleece-skirting techniques (SK1 and SK2) were compared with a control procedure in which fleeces were not skirted before packaging (original bag, OB method). Skirted wools were higher yielding (P < .05) and contained less vegetable matter (P < .05) than skirts. However, clean yield and vegetable matter content of skirted and OB wools were not different (P > .05). Weight-averaged prices received for grease wool from the SK1, SK2, and OB treatments over the 4-yr period were 4.49, 4.36, and 3.83 $/kg, respectively. Prices received for both types of skirted wool plus skirts were higher (P < .05) than prices received for OB wool.

Animal Husbandry↗

Lifetime lamb and wool production of targhee or Finn-Dorset-Targhee ewes managed as farm or range flock: II. Cumulative lamb and wool production.

Cumulative lifetime (five lamb crops) lamb production and wool production of 681 ewes were evaluated in this study. Lamb production and wool production from each ewe at the end of age 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 yr were added to the previous year's production and analyzed within age of ewe. If a ewe failed to lamb, died, or was culled, it received a zero for that year and subsequent years. Main effects in the model included ewe breed and management system. Per ewe entering the study, Finn-Dorset-Targhee (FDT) ewes had a higher (P < .01) number of lambs born (7.42 vs 5.70), number of lambs weaned (5.39 vs 4.48), and total lamb weight weaned (131.7 vs 110.5 kg) than did Targhee ewes. Targhee ewes produced more (P < .01) wool (16.1 vs 13.6 kg) than FDT ewes. Range flock ewes had a higher number of lambs born (6.74 vs 6.38; P < .05), number of lambs weaned (5.39 vs 4.48; P < .01), and total lamb weight weaned (135.8 vs 106.5 kg; P < .01) than did farm flock ewes. Farm flock ewes produced more (P < .01) wool (15.2 vs 14.5 kg). A second analysis based on only those ewes retained at the start of each subsequent breeding season showed FDT ewes had a higher (P < .01) number of lambs born (9.96 vs 8.11), number of lambs weaned (7.61 vs 6.57), and total lamb weight weaned (183.8 vs 165.7 kg) after five lamb crops. Targhee ewes produced more (P < .01) wool (22.5 vs 17.6 kg). Farm flock ewes had a higher (P < .10) number of lambs born (9.18 vs 8.89) and produced more (P < .01) wool (21.1 vs 19.0 kg) than range flock ewes. Range flock ewes weaned more (P < .05) lambs (7.27 vs 6.92) and had more (P < .01) total lamb weight weaned (184.3 vs 165.2 kg) than farm flock ewes.

Aging↗

Effects of zinc deficiency on the wool growth, skin and wool follicles of pre-ruminant lambs.

Two groups of 1-month-old pre-ruminant lambs of similar mean liveweights were fed identical liquid milk-replacer diets except that the zinc contents were either 5 micrograms (deficient diet) or 32 micrograms per gram of dry matter (control diet). These diets were fed for 4 weeks, after which all the lambs received the control diet for 2 weeks. In the lambs fed the deficient diet plasma zinc concentration decreased markedly during the first 2 weeks and skin lesions developed around their mouths. Autophagic vacuoles also developed in most follicle bulbs along with a variety of defects in the wool fibres and progressive inhibition of wool growth. Food intake and liveweight increase were not significantly depressed until the third and fourth weeks of feeding the deficient diet. During this period the wool was shed from the zinc-deficient lambs as a result of the fibres being degraded and distorted within thickened outer root sheaths in the distal (upper) parts of the follicles. In addition, the epidermis of the wool-bearing skin became slightly acanthotic and hyperkeratotic, although not parakeratotic. When the deficient lambs were fed the control diet for 2 weeks, their food intake, liveweight gain and plasma zinc concentration increased to almost those of the control lambs, but their rate of wool growth was still low and the epidermis had not returned to normal. Compared with previous studies the findings of this study suggest that pre-ruminant lambs may be more susceptible to the effects of zinc deficiency than ruminant lambs.

Aging↗

Performance of hair breeds and prolific wool breeds of sheep in southern Illinois: wool production and fleece quality.

The objective of this study was to compare weight and quality of fleeces of different F1 ewe types produced from breeds with a broad range of fleece types. Weights of 629 fleeces produced during 1988 through 1991 from F1 ewes that were daughters of Suffolk and Targhee dams and Finnsheep, Combo-6, Booroola Merino, St. Croix, and Barbados sires were recorded. Staple length was measured on the mid-side of each ewe present in 1991. Fleeces shorn in 1991 were sent to a wool marketing organization, and staple length, wool grade, and clean fleece yield were subjectively estimated (n = 220). Mid-side fleece samples were collected from no more than two randomly selected ewes from each subclass (breed of dam-breed of sire-age of ewe) in 1991 (n = 78) and sent to a wool laboratory where fiber diameter, yield, and percentage of colored, med, and kemp fibers were objectively determined. Ewes from Targhee dams produced fleeces with greater weight, greater fiber length, smaller fiber diameter, lower yield, and fewer colored fibers than ewes from Suffolk dams (all differences significant, P < .01). Booroola Merino-sired ewes produced heavier (P < .01) fleeces than did Finnsheep- and Combo-6-sired ewes (4.13 and 3.09 kg, respectively), and in turn, Finnsheep- and Combo-6-sired ewes produced heavier (P < .01) fleeces than did ewes sired by hair breed rams (3.09 and 1.70 kg, respectively). Among hair breed-sired ewes, St. Croixsired ewes produced heavier (P < .01) fleeces than did Barbados-sired ewes (1.88 and 1.52 kg, respectively). Fleeces produced by Booroola Merino-sired ewes had smaller (P < .01) fiber diameter than all sire breed groups except Combo-6-sired ewes, and fleeces produced by St. Croix-sired ewes had greater (P < .01) fiber diameter than all other sire breed groups. Lab scoured yield was greater (P < .01) for fleeces from ewes from hair breed than for fleeces from ewes from wool breed sires (74.2 vs 66.1%). Proportions of undesirable fibers (med, kemp, and colored) were 20 to 600 times greater (P < .01) in fleeces of ewes from hair breed sires than in fleeces of ewes from wool breed sires. In general, F1 ewes from Booroola Merino sires produced the heaviest, highest quality fleeces, and ewes from the hair breed sires of St. Croix and Barbados produced the lightest, lowest quality fleeces. Ewes from Finnsheep and Combo-6 sires produced fleeces that were more similar to the fleeces of ewes from Booroola Merino sires than to the fleeces of ewes from the hair breed sires.

Animals↗

Effects of pinealectomy on wool growth and wool follicle density in merino sheep.

There is evidence to indicate that pinealectomy may enhance wool growth in the sheep. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pinealectomy on wool growth and wool follicle density in Merino sheep. Castrated Merino rams (4 months old) were either pinealectomized (P), sham-pinealectomized (S) or not treated (C). Wool growth on mid-side patches was measured every 4 weeks and follicle density was monitored in skin biopsies collected before treatment and at regular intervals for 60 weeks. Venous blood samples were taken on each of these occasions for prolactin analysis. Melatonin concentrations were determined in venous blood collected pre- and posttreatment from samples taken over a 24-hr period during the winter solstice. Pre- and posttreatment plasma melatonin levels (mean +/- SEM) 65 +/- 17 and < 13 pg/ml for P, 86 +/- 21 and 69 +/- 20 pg/ml for S, and 94 +/- 41 and 122 +/- 37 pg/ml for C, respectively, indicated that the pineal glands had been successfully removed. Wool growth, total follicle density and liveweight (mean +/- SEM) did not differ between treatment groups. Measurements at week 60 were 3.9 +/- 0.3, 4.1 +/- 0.2, and 3.8 +/- 0.3 gm clean wool/100 cm2; 66 +/- 6, 69 +/- 7, and 64 +/- 3 follicles/mm2; and 50.4 +/- 1.3, 50.8 +/- 1.4, and 52.6 +/- 1.1 kg liveweight for groups P, S, and C, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Metabolism of cystine by Merino sheep genetically different in wool production IV. Rates of entry of cystine into plasma, measured with a single intravenous injection of L-[35S]cystine, and the subsequent incorporation of 35S into wool fibres.

Ten, 2-year-old Merino ewes from a flock selectively bred for high clean fleece weight (Fleece Plus) and ten from a flock bred for low clean fleece weight (Fleece Minus) were randomly divided between two dietary treatments: 600 or 1100 g/day of pelleted lucerne hay. After 14 weeks, each ewe received an intravenous injection of L-[35S]cystine (66-4 muCi). Venous blood samples were collected at 15 specified times until 8 h after the injections, and wool fibres were plucked until 65-75 days after the injections. Protein-free filtrates prepared from blood plasma were bulked within sample times for ewes from the same flock and dietary treatment. Equations relating the specific radioactivity of free cystine isolated from the bulked filtrates to time after injection contained three exponential terms. The entry rate and pool size of cystine estimated from these equations were greater in Fleece Minus than in Fleece Plus ewes (by 25 and 44% respectively for entry rate and pool size). Both traits were also higher in ewes offered 1100 g lucerne/day than in those offered 600 g/day (58-7 v. 33-9 mg/h for entry rate and 19-2 v 11-8 mg for pool size). The concentration of free cystine in plasma was greater in ewes offered 1100 g lucerne/day (3-0 v 2-1 mg/1; P less than 0-05), and greater in Fleece Minus ewes (3-0 v. 2-1 mg/l; P less than 0-05). The percentage of the injected radioactivity recovered in the wool clipped to day 70 post-injection differed between genotypes and between dietary treatments (P less than 0.05), being greater in Fleece Plus than in Fleece Minus ewes, and greater in those offered 1100 g lucerne/day than in those offered 600 g/day. The relationships between 35S incorporated per 1000 fibres (R) and time after injection (t) were best fitted by equations of the form (formula: see text). For all sheep, n = 3. The coefficient of the second term was significantly greater (P less than 0-05) in ewes offered 1100 g lucerne/day, whilst the constant of this term was significantly greater in Fleece Minus ewes. The specific radioactivities of cystine incorporated into wool fibres (SRf) during various intervals of time after injection were derived from these equations and from the measured rates of output of cystine in wool. The equations computed to relate SRf to time after injection (t) were of the form (formula: see text). Again there were three components. The coefficient of the third component was significantly greater (P less than 0-05) in ewes offered 1100 g lucerne/day, whilst the constant of the second term was significantly greater in Fleece Minus ewes.

Animals↗

[Correlation analysis of microsatellite DNA markers with wool traits in Liangshan semi-fine wool sheep].

Eighteen microsatellites on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 9 were studied to detect their genotypes in 206 individuals in a Liangshan Semi-fine Wool Sheep nucleus breeding population. A GLM procedure was used to analyze the effects of these 18 microsatellites on wool traits. Results uncovered 7 loci that had a significant impact on wool traits. Genotypes of that favorably affect wool traits were determined.

Animals↗

[Variability and inheritance of behavior in fine-wool sheep. II. Character of inheritance of domesticated behavior and correlation of behavior with productivity traits in fine-wool sheep].

The results of an experimental study of the inheritance of individual behaviour in various types of crosses are presented; the phenotypic and genetic correlations between the behavior and producutivity characters in sheep and the possibility of applying behaviour characteristics to the selection process of fine-wool sheep are analysed. It is shown that the progeny from crosses between parents with the same type of behaviour inherits mainly the type of behaviour of their parents and that, in general, the inheritance has a polygenic character. A genetic relation between the type of domestic behaviour and the productive characters of fine-wool sheep is established. The genetic correlation coefficient between the behaviour and the wool productivity is 0,57, and that between the behaviour and the live weight is 0,53. It is concluded that the inheritance component contributes to the formation of the type of domestic behaviour of fine-wool sheep. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between the type of behaviour and the main productivity characters are discussed. The posibility of using behaviour characteristics as a character under selection is considered.

Animals↗

Effects of intradermally injected and topically applied mouse epidermal growth factor on wool growth, skin and wool follicles of merino sheep.

Twice daily intradermal (ID) injections of mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) in sterile saline for 1-4 days into delineated areas of skin of Merino sheep produced dose-dependent changes in wool follicles and fibres, ranging from slight reduction in follicle bulb size and transient disturbance of cuticle formation on some fibres to the induction of catagen of follicles and shedding of fibres with distorted, tapered ends. Regeneration of follicles commenced by day 7. By contrast, ID injections of saline did not affect follicle activity. The epidermis became thicker and more parakeratotic after multiple injections of mEGF than after injection of saline, but was almost normal again by day 14. Persistent small increases in sebaceous gland size, additional to those induced by ID injections of saline, and delayed small increases in sweat gland size also occurred after multiple injections of mEGF. Daily topical applications of mEGF in 50% (v/v) aqueous propylene glycol 5 days each week for 4 weeks did not affect wool growth or the follicles and other skin components. The only effect observed, due to application of the aqueous propylene glycol, was an increase in the number of layers of cornified cells in the stratum corneum of the epidermis, with the cells arranged in clearly discernible stacks. The effects produced by ID injections of mEGF indicate that mEGF acts directly on the pilosebaceous and epidermal components of skin.

Administration, Topical↗

Production of reactive oxygen species by phagocytic cells after exposure to glass wool and stone wool fibres - effect of fibre preincubation in aqueous solution.

The potential of four man-made vitreous fibres (MMVFs) (glass wool Code A, stone wool Code G, HT-N and MMVF 21) and of two natural mineral fibres (crocidolite, erionite) to induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by differentiated HL-60 cells (HL-60-M cells) was investigated by determination of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL). Quartz served as positive control. The same system was used to uncover possible influences of fibre preincubation in aqueous solutions on the ROS-generating potential. Following preincubation in unbuffered saline over about 4 weeks, Code A and G fibres showed decreased ROS-generating potential as compared to freshly suspended fibres. On the other hand, MMVF 21 and HT-N fibres as well as crocidolite and erionite showed no decreased CL after incubation in aqueous solutions. The observed decrease of the ROS-generating potential of Code A and G fibres after preincubation may be an expression of fibre surface alterations (leaching, initiation of dissolution) that influences the response of exposed phagocytic cells. After incubation of both fibres in buffered solutions at different pH values (5.0, 7.4) a reduced ROS-generating potential was still discernible as compared to freshly suspended fibres.

Asbestos, Crocidolite↗

Fiber exposure assessment in the Swedish rock wool and slag wool production industry in 1938-1990.

OBJECTIVE: A multiplicative model was developed to assess past exposure to respirable fibers among rock wool and slag wool production workers in Sweden in 1938-1990. METHODS: Information on the job titles, work tasks and employment times of 1487 workers exposed to man-made vitreous fibers was obtained from company records and interviews with older employees. A mathematical model developed earlier for assessing historical fiber exposure, based on factory averages, was further developed. Matrices of multipliers for each plant that were specific for job title were modified to assess fiber exposure with respect to job title and calendar period. The model was based on measurements made in 1977. Two methods of exposure assessment were compared, cumulative exposure based on factory average (model I) and cumulative exposure based on job title (model II). RESULTS: The exposure changed considerably in the two factories during the period 1938-1990, and it varied also between job titles. The estimated average fiber (f) exposure level at the two plants in the middle of the 1940s was 1.32 and 0.78 f.ml-1. These values are 26 and 16 times higher, respectively, than the exposure in 1980. Process changes, as well as the addition of binders and oil, reduced the exposure drastically around 1950. The mean cumulative respirable fiber exposure for the 1487 subjects was 1.44 (range 0.05-18.40) f.ml-1.year. The cleaners had 14 times higher annual fiber exposure than the preproduction workers. CONCLUSIONS: Model II was judged to be more valid than model I in assessing exposure to man-made vitreous fibers.

Adult↗