@article {3672,
	title = {Dominant mutation(s) for low fibre curvature in the wool of sheep},
	journal = {New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2021},
	month = {01/2022},
	pages = {112-116},
	address = {Online},
	abstract = {Two sires judged to have phenotypically lustrous wool as neonates were mated to ewes that did not exhibit lustre in their fleece as adults. Around half their progeny were lustrous as neonates. Wool characteristics of these progeny were measured on an optically based fibre diameter analyser (OFDA) when they were weaned and again as yearlings. There was a profound difference in mean fibre curvature (P<0.001) such that the lustrous phenotype had less curvature in both sire groups (22.8, 24.5{\textdegree}/mm) compared with the non-lustrous (67.5, 56.2{\textdegree}/mm) as lambs, and 29.8, 28.1{\textdegree}/mm compared with 74.1, 55.0{\textdegree}/mm as yearlings. Curvature of the sire groups was significantly different in concert with breed mix, Merino in one sire and Romney in the other, but only when their fleece was not lustrous. The greasy fleece of the lustrous yearlings was significantly lighter (1.8 vs 3.0 kg, P<0.05) than their non-lustrous contemporaries, while there was no significant difference in fibre diameter between the two phenotypes as lambs or yearlings. Fibre curvature is inexpensive to measure and well-defined, whereas lustre is a qualitatively assessed trait. These findings suggest {\textquotedblleft}low fibre curvature{\textquotedblright} would be a more appropriate name for the trait than {\textquotedblleft}lustre{\textquotedblright}.


Keywords: lustre mutant; wool fibre; crimp; curvature},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Scobie DR and van Koten C and Richena M and Plowman JE and Harland DP}
}
@conference {41882,
	title = {Wool keratins - the challenge ahead},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {66},
	year = {2006},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {133-139},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Napier},
	abstract = {Sheep wool is predominantly composed of keratin proteins. These comprise keratin intermediate filament proteins embedded in a matrix of smaller keratin associated proteins. As a result of polymorphisms and post-translational modifications, these proteins display many more family members than there are genes. Recent studies using improved gene expression, electron tomography and proteomic techniques have provided useful preliminary data on the association of keratins with certain fibre properties. Current research is quantifying keratin gene expression in the skin and the consequent wool protein compositional differences between breeds of divergent fibre and fleece characteristics. A detailed understanding of the control of keratin gene expression and fibre protein composition arising from these and other studies will provide the foundation for the development of novel high-value wool types, solubilised keratins for specialised cosmetic applications and reconstituted keratin polymers for biomedical applications. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Plowman JE and Bryson WG and Yu Z-D and Gordon SW and Pearson AJ and Kelly RJ}
}
