Characteristics of Wool of Selected Polish Local Sheep Breeds with Mixed Type Fleece

ABSTRACT

The wool of several native breeds raised in Polish mountains and foothills was examined. The content of natural contaminants and basic wool parameters, thickness and length was determined during investigations. In addition, the wool morphology was analyzed by electron microscopic observations. It was revealed, that the fleece of sheep for all breeds is a mixed type, which is formed from more delicate, thinner and shorter wool with the addition of thicker and longer guarded hairs. In the fraction of guarded hairs, a high amount of medullated fibers and kemp occur. Comparing the wool obtained from sheep of white and colored varieties, it is stated that wool has similar characteristics. Additionally, it was found that similar parameters exhibit wool obtained from sheep of the same breed originating from various flocks raised in different locations. Analyzing the wool characteristics, the possibilities for its potential application were indicated.

摘要

对波兰山区和山麓地区饲养的几种本地品种的羊毛进行了检查. 在调查过程中确定了天然污染物的含量和羊毛的基本参数，厚度和长度. 此外，通过电子显微镜观察对羊毛的形态进行了分析. 研究表明，所有品种的绵羊羊毛都是混合型的，由更细腻、更薄、更短的羊毛加上更厚、更长的保护毛形成. 在被保护的那部分毛发中，会出现大量的髓样纤维和kemp. 对白色和彩色品种绵羊的羊毛进行比较，发现羊毛具有相似的特性. 此外，研究发现，相似的参数显示了从不同地点饲养的不同羊群中获得的同一品种绵羊的羊毛. 通过对羊毛特性的分析，指出了其潜在应用的可能性.

KEYWORDS:

• Wool
• quality of wool
• indigenous sheep breeds
• diameter
• hygroscopicity
• morphology

关键词:

• 羊毛
• 羊毛质量
• 本地绵羊品种
• 直径
• 吸湿性
• 形态学

Highlights

1. Sheep raised in Polish mountain and foothill regions belong to several native breeds (Polish Mountain Sheep – white and colored, Podhale Zackel, Polish Mountain Sheep crossbreed with Valaska, Cikta and Swiniarka).

2. The mountain sheep are coated with mixed-type fleece formed from coarse and medullated fibers with addition of kemp.

3. The wool treated nowadays as troublesome and useless waste is a precious raw material, which can be used for the production of valuable products.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development [Nw.070.4.2021].