Wool follicle population of some Indian breeds of sheep

Abstract

One hundred and thirty-seven samples of skin from six Indian breeds of sheep (Nilgiri, Bikaneri, Bellary, Black Kurumbai Adu, Mandya, and Nellore) were obtained from Madras and Andhra States in south India. The samples were collected, processed, and examined by the methods described by Carter and Clarke (1957a, 1957b). Representative values for (i) mean number of follicles per sq. millimetre of skin, (ii) ratio of secondary follicles to primary follicles, (iii) mean fibre diameter, and (iv) ratio of diameter of fibres in primary follicles to diameter of fibres in secondary follicles were: Nilgiri, (i) 16.0, (ii) 3.5, (iii) 26.0 µ, (iv) 1.2 ; Bikaneri, (i) 14.0, (ii) 2.0 , (iii) 35.0 µ, (iv) 1.7; Mandya, (i) 10.5, (ii) 1.8, (iii) 55.0 µ, (iv) 3.8 ; Bellary, (i) 6.6, (ii) 1.4, (iii) 56.0 µ, (iv) 3.1 ; Nellore, (i) 6.0 , (ii) 1.7, (iii) 60.0 µ, (iv) 5.3; Black Kurumbai Adu, (i) 7.8, (ii) 1.2, (iii) 48.0 µ, (iv) 2.0. On the basis of these examinations the Nilgiri is classified as a down-wool breed, the Bikaneri as a good carpet-wool breed, the Bellary, Mandya, and Black Kurumbai Adu as coarse carpet-wool breeds, and the Nellore as a hair sheep.