RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BLOOD-GROUPS AND SOME WOOL CHARACTERISTICS IN EGYPTIAN COARSE-WOOL FAT-TAILED SHEEP

The relationships between some wool characteristics and blood group genotypes (A(a)A(a), A(b)A(b), A(c)A(c), A(a)A(b), A(a)A(c) and A(b)A(c)) were studied in Ossimi and Rahmani Egyptian fat-tailed breeds of sheep. Interrupted medullation and coarse wool percentages and grade of wool were significantly related to blood group genotypes (P < 0.01). Fibre length and diameter and continuous medullation percentage were significantly related to genotype (P < 0.05). Staple length, number of crimps per cm, percentages of kemp, clean wool, impurities, moisture regain and fine wool were not significantly related to blood group genotype (P > 0.05).