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Red blood cell concentrations of reduced glutathione and potassium as biochemical markers of wool growth in Merino sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

G. J. Hopkins ,
J. Roberts  and
J. V. Evans
G. J. Hopkins
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W. 2351, Australia
J. Roberts
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W. 2351, Australia
J. V. Evans
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W. 2351, Australia
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Summary

Wool growth rates were estimated in Merino ewes differing in their red blood cell concentrations of reduced glutathione ([GSHRBC]). Over a 42-day wool growth period, sheep with low [GSHRBC] maintained significantly higher rates of wool growth. Red blood cell concentrations of K+, ([K+RBC]), [GSHRBC] and estimated gene frequencies for the low [GSHRBC] and high [K+RBC] genes were determined in flocks of Merino ewes bred for high or low clean fleece weight. The high fleece weight flock had a significantly lower [GSHRBC] and higher gene frequency for the low [GSHRBC] allele than the low fleece weight flock. The high fleece weight flock also had a significantly higher [K+RBC] and a higher gene frequency for the high [K+RBC] allele than did the low fleece weight flock.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 84 , Issue 3 , June 1975 , pp. 481 - 486
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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