Study of melanin distribution in the hair cells of Karakul lambs of different colours

Abstract

The relevance of this study is explained by the need to have a more accurate instrument for assessing the phenotype of Karakul lambs by colour. Despite the fact that the colouring of Karakul lambs is an important sign for obtaining a high-quality krimmer skin, its determination occurs only visually, which leads to large errors. This fact indicates the need for a more objective method for assessing the colour of Karakul lambs. In this regard, this article is aimed at studying melanin distribution type in cortical layer cells of Karakul lambs’ hair of different colours and evaluating the possibility of using this trait as an additional criterion for identifying the phenotype by lear. After the preparation of smears from hair macerates, light microscopy was performed with a visual count of cells with a particular distribution pattern of melanosomes in cells, according to the chosen classification. The absence of class zero cells (complete absence of melanin) for black lambs was revealed, however, there were unexpectedly quite few cells of the fifth class (with superpigmentation). The largest number of cells of grey lambs were assigned to the third or zero classes. With an increase in the cells of the zero class, the colour intensity of the taken hair also decreases. In lambs of medium-blue and dark-blue colours, cells of the third class prevailed. The materials of the article are of practical value for breeding work with Karakul sheep, providing more accurate control of the selection of sheep to achieve the desired result using a quantitative parameter.