This article is part of the supplement: Third International Workshop on Major Genes and QTL in Sheep and Goats; 8–11 December 2003, Toulouse, France
Proceedings
Major genes and QTL influencing wool production and quality: a review
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* Corresponding author: Ian W Purvis ian.purvis@csiro.au
CSIRO Livestock Industries, F.D. McMaster Laboratory, Chiswick Research Centre, Armidale, NSW Australia
Genetics Selection Evolution 2005, 37(Suppl 1):S97-S107 doi:10.1186/1297-9686-37-S1-S97
Published: 15 December 2005Abstract
The opportunity exists to utilise our knowledge of major genes that influence the economically important traits in wool sheep. Genes with Mendelian inheritance have been identified for many important traits in wool sheep. Of particular importance are genes influencing pigmentation, wool quality and the keratin proteins, the latter of which are important for the morphology of the wool fibre. Gene mapping studies have identified some chromosomal regions associated with variation in wool quality and production traits. The challenge now is to build on this knowledge base in a cost-effective way to deliver molecular tools that facilitate enhanced genetic improvement programs for wool sheep.