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The study characterized wool fibers from four Ethiopian sheep breeds by measuring fiber diameter, staple length, crimp frequency, and medullation. Menz and Horro sheep had the finest wool with diameters of 20.6 μm and 21.2 μm respectively, while Washera and Bonga sheep had coarser wool of 23.4 μm and 24.1 μm respectively. The results provide information on wool fiber traits for sheep breeding in Ethiopia.

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12 views3 pages

Sheep

The study characterized wool fibers from four Ethiopian sheep breeds by measuring fiber diameter, staple length, crimp frequency, and medullation. Menz and Horro sheep had the finest wool with diameters of 20.6 μm and 21.2 μm respectively, while Washera and Bonga sheep had coarser wool of 23.4 μm and 24.1 μm respectively. The results provide information on wool fiber traits for sheep breeding in Ethiopia.

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fekade
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Title: - Characterization and Study of the Wool Fiber Physical Properties in Ethiopian

Indigenous Sheep Breeds

Abstract:

In this study, we investigated the physical properties of wool fibers from four Ethiopian
indigenous sheep breeds: Menz, Horro, Washera, and Bonga. Wool samples were collected from
20 individual sheep of each breed, and their mean fiber diameter, staple length, crimp frequency,
and medullation were measured. The results show that Menz and Horro sheep had the finest
wool fibers, with a mean diameter of 20.6 μm and 21.2 μm, respectively. Washera and Bonga
sheep had coarser wool with a mean diameter of 23.4 μm and 24.1 μm, respectively. The staple
length of Menz and Horro wool was longer than that of Washera and Bonga wool, while the
crimp frequency was higher in Washera and Bonga wool. Medullation was observed in all
breeds, with Washera and Bonga sheep showing a higher degree of medullation. These results
provide valuable information for the selection and breeding of sheep with desirable wool fiber
traits in Ethiopia.

Keywords:

Ethiopian indigenous sheep breeds, wool fiber, physical properties, fiber diameter, staple length,
crimp frequency, medullation
Introduction:

Wool is an important natural fiber used in the textile industry, and its quality is determined by
various physical properties such as fiber diameter, staple length, crimp frequency, and
medullation. Ethiopian indigenous sheep breeds are known for their unique wool fiber properties,
which are shaped by the environmental conditions and genetic makeup of the sheep. However,
little is known about the physical properties of wool fibers in these breeds. Therefore, the aim of
this study was to characterize and study the physical properties of wool fibers in four Ethiopian
indigenous sheep breeds: Menz, Horro, Washera, and Bonga.

Materials and Methods:

Wool samples were collected from 20 individual sheep of each breed, aged between 2 and 4
years. The samples were taken from the mid-side region of the animal, avoiding any
contaminated or damaged fiber. The mean fiber diameter was measured using a Laserscan
instrument (OFDA 100), and the staple length was measured using a ruler. The crimp frequency
was determined by counting the number of waves in a 2.5 cm section of fiber. Medullation was
observed using a microscope, and the degree of medullation was scored on a scale of 0-5.

Results:

The mean fiber diameter of Menz and Horro wool was 20.6 μm and 21.2 μm, respectively, while
Washera and Bonga wool had a mean diameter of 23.4 μm and 24.1 μm, respectively. The staple
length of Menz and Horro wool was longer than that of Washera and Bonga wool, while the
crimp frequency was higher in Washera and Bonga wool. Medullation was observed in all
breeds, with Washera and Bonga sheep showing a higher degree of medullation.
Conclusion:

This study provides valuable information on the physical properties of wool fibers in four
Ethiopian indigenous sheep breeds. Menz and Horro sheep had the finest wool fibers, while
Washera and Bonga sheep had coarser wool with a higher degree of medullation. These results
can be used for the selection and breeding of sheep with desirable wool fiber traits in Ethiopia.
Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of environmental factors on wool fiber
properties in these breeds.

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