A study of the follicular origin of the fibre types on N-grade Romney lambs : a thesis presented at Massey Agricultural College in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of New Zealand

Abstract

It has long been realised that a greater understanding of the physiology of wool follicles and the various processes involved in the growth of fibres might reveal simple, economic methods to improve the quantity and quality of wool produced by a sheep. In physiological studies of wool growth, workers unable to observe directly the functioning of the follicle have used certain features as criteria.

The chief criteria used have been the following: -

i measure of wool growth. ii Tho morphology of the fibre. iii Anatomy and changes in the anatomy of the skin and the follicles.

In an attempt to explain the morphological differences between birthcoat fibre types, workers have formulated several hypotheses about the forces in the skin during the period of follicle development (Dry 1933 , Sutherland 1939, Goot 1940). Some workers (Galpin 1935, 1936b, Fraser 1951, 1952a 1953) have postulated that changes in the follicle population is the chief cause of these

differences.

If this is true there should be some relation-

ship between the class of follicle and the type of fibre which it produces. While the relationship between the type of follicle and the fire it produces has been widely discussed in the literature, little experimental work has been carried out to find the true origin of the different fibre types. [From Introduction]