A technique to quantify and characterize the density of fibres and follicles in the skin of sheep

Abstract

A description is given of a non-destructive technique to count fibres and quantify their relative positions in the skin of sheep by making impressions of the skin surface of live sheep. Each impression contains within it clear morphological structures caused by individual wool fibres as they emerge from individual follicles, and clusters of wool fibres emerging from follicle bundles. Individual fibres and clusters of fibres can also be seen to be grouped together forming 'follicle groups'. The detailed accuracy of the impressions is confirmed by examining scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of a model of the skin obtained using the skin impression, and by examining SEM images of the impression itself. The impressions of individual fibres and clusters of fibres (produced from follicle bundles) appear to be countable using image analysis software. The new technique provides a low cost method (i.e. low relative to the cost of analysing skin biopsies) for measuring the density of fibres and fibre bundles, and the number of fibres per bundle in the skin. The measurements are expected to be of significant commercial interest to wool breeders.