Major genes and QTL influencing wool production and quality: a review

Ian William Purvis , Ian Robert Franklin

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.

Mots clés: gene; major gene; QTL; wool production; wool quality

Domaines: Génétique animale

Ian William Purvis, Ian Robert Franklin. Major genes and QTL influencing wool production and quality: a review. Genetics Selection Evolution, 2005, 37 (Suppl. 1), pp.S97-S107. ⟨hal-00894495⟩