Relationship between skin structure and wool traits for Ultrafine and Dohne Merino sheep of Uruguay

The demand in the world market for high quality fine and superfine wool is increasing, responding to greater textile industry demands price incentives. There are few research studies focused on hair follicle population Merino sheep Uruguay. This study evaluates association between most relevant economical traits. work was carried out Ultrafine Australian (UAM) Dohne (DM) animals (lambs rams). Phenotypic correlations secondary/primary follicles (S/P) other traits (fiber diameter, staple length, clean fleece weight, scoured yield, coefficient of variation fiber diameter comfort factor parameter, were performed using histological skin cuts. Two samples extracted from each lamb at two nine months age. These processed histology laboratory obtain a preparation further biopsy, being able differentiate structures obtained be evaluated. results showed UAM group, S/P ratio nine-month-old lambs than two-month-old (31.08 vs 23.12 P< 0.05). For DM there no differences age groups. characteristics low medium or null magnitude both genotypes.