Black Sheep Research Articles

Exploring the growth trait molecular markers in two sheep breeds based on Genome-wide association analysis.

Growth traits are quantitative traits controlled by multiple micro-effect genes. we identified molecular markers related to sheep growth traits, which formed the basis of molecular breeding. In this study, we randomly selected 100 Qira Black sheep and 84 German Merino sheep for the blood collection the jugular vein to genotype by using the Illumina Ovine SNP 50K Bead Chip. quality control criteria for statistical analysis were: rejection detection rate < 90% and minimum allele frequency (MAF) < 5%. Then, we performed Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on sheep body weight, body height, body length, and chest circumference using mixed linear models. After getting 55 SNPs with significant correlation, they were annotated by reference genome of Ovis aries genome (Oar_v4.0) and We obtained a total of 84 candidate genes associated with production traits (BMPR1B, HSD17B3, TMEM63C, etc.). We selected BMPR1B for population validation and found a correlation between the FecB locus and body weight traits. Therefore, this study not only supplements the existing knowledge of molecular markers of sheep growth traits, but also has important theoretical significance and reference value for the mining of functional genes of sheep growth traits.

Regulation mechanism and functional verification of key functional genes regulating muscle development in black Tibetan sheep

Black Tibetan sheep is a branch of Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). It is mainly distributed in Guinan County, Qinghai Province. In order to accurately identify the core regulatory genes in the process of muscle development of black Tibetan sheep, further explore the physiological processes of growth, development and myogenesis of black Tibetan sheep, and carry out molecular breeding of black Tibetan sheep, this experiment took the unique black Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as the experimental object, and selected three stages of 4-month-old embryo (embryonic stage, MF group), 10-month-old(breeding stage, ML group) and 36-month-old (adult, MA group). The longissimus dorsi tissues of 3 sheep were taken at each stage to quantify the expression of genes during muscle development at different developmental stages. Meanwhile, overexpression and interference techniques were used to detect the role of core genes in the proliferation of primary muscle cells of black Tibetan sheep. In the process from embryonic stage to mature stage and adulthood, more than 1000 genes were up-regulated and more than 4000 down-regulated in black Tibetan sheep, while from breeding to adulthood, there were only 51 up-regulated genes and 83 down-regulated genes. About 998 genes were newly identified in each group. During muscle development from embryonic stage to mature stage to adulthood, two significant differential trend gene sets of Profile1 and Profile 6 were screened and identified, in which there were 121 and 31 core regulatory genes identified, respectively. In the trend of first decreasing and then stable expression in the whole development stage, 121 genes are core regulatory transcripts, which are mainly related to axonal guidance, cell cycle and other functions. 31 genes are core regulatory transcripts in the first rising and then stable expression, which are mainly related to biological metabolic pathway, oxidative phosphorylation and other processes. In the MF-ML stage, 75 genes were selected as the core regulatory gene set, the core genes were PTEN, AKT3, etc., and there were 134 differentially expressed genes in the ML-MA stage, and the core regulatory genes were IL6, ABCA1 and so on. In the MF-ML stage, the core gene set widely plays a role in cell components, cell matrix and other biological processes, while in the ML-MA stage, the core gene set widely plays a role in cell migration, cell differentiation, tissue development and so on. Adenovirus vector overexpressed and interfered with the core gene PTEN in primary muscle satellite cells of black Tibetan sheep shown that, interference and overexpression of PTEN would correspondingly increase and decrease the expression of other core genes, like AKT3, CKD2, CCNB1, ERBB3, HDAC2, but the specific interaction mechanism of each gene still needs to be further explored.

Comprehensive Analysis of Differentially Expressed CircRNAs in the Ovaries of Low- and High-Fertility Sheep.

CircRNAs are essential in regulating follicle growth and development and the female reproductive system at multiple levels. However, the molecular mechanism by which circRNAs regulate reproduction in sheep is unclear and requires further exploration. In this study, RNA sequencing was performed to reveal the circRNA expression profiles in the ovaries of Cele black sheep and Hetian sheep during estrus. Analysis of the number of circRNAs in their host genes revealed that 5031 genes could produce 20,835 circRNAs. Among the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNA), 75 were upregulated, and 105 were downregulated. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the host genes of DEcircRNA were involved in several pathways, including the MAPK and Hippo signaling pathway. In addition, we constructed a subnetwork of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) containing 4 mRNAs, 4 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 10 circRNAs, potentially related to follicle development. Functional circRNAs (e.g., novel_circ_0003851, novel_circ_0015526, novel_circ_0008117) were found to act as ceRNAs for follicle growth and development-related mRNAs (CUEDC1, KPNB1, ZFPM2) by sponging functional miRNAs (miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-17-5p). Finally, through an RNA pull-down assay, oar-miR-125b was selected and confirmed as the target miRNA of novel-circ-0041512. We analyzed the overall expression of circRNAs in sheep ovaries. Further, we explored the potential mechanisms underlying the circRNA functions, providing a theoretical basis for the genetic progress of reproductive traits in sheep.

Metabolome and microbiome analysis revealed the effect mechanism of different feeding modes on the meat quality of Black Tibetan sheep.

Black Tibetan sheep is one of the primitive sheep breeds in China that is famous for its great eating quality and nutrient value but with little attention to the relationship between feeding regimes and rumen metabolome along with its impact on the muscle metabolism and meat quality. This study applies metabolomics-based analyses of muscles and 16S rDNA-based sequencing of rumen fluid to examine how feeding regimes influence the composition of rumen microbiota, muscle metabolism and ultimately the quality of meat from Black Tibetan sheep. Twenty-seven rams were randomly assigned to either indoor feeding conditions (SG, n = 9), pasture grazing with indoor feeding conditions (BG, n = 9) or pasture grazing conditions (CG, n = 9) for 120 days. The results showed that, compared with BG and CG, SG improved the quality of Black Tibetan sheep mutton by preventing a decline in pH and increasing fat deposition to enhance the color, tenderness and water holding capacity (WHC) of the Longissimus lumborum (LL). Metabolomics and correlation analyses further indicated that the feeding regimes primarily altered amino acid, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in muscles, thereby influencing the amino acid (AA) and fatty acid (FA) levels as well as the color, tenderness and WHC of the LL. Furthermore, SG increased the abundance of Christensenellaceae R-7 group, [Eubacterium] coprostanoligenes group, Methanobrevibacter, Ruminococcus 2 and Quinella, decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Prevotella 1 and Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, and showed a tendency to decrease the abundance of Succinivibrio and Selenomonas 1. Interestingly, all of these microorganisms participated in the deposition of AAs and FAs and modified the levels of different metabolites involved in the regulation of meat quality (maltotriose, pyruvate, L-ascorbic acid, chenodeoxycholate, D-glucose 6-phosphate, glutathione, etc.). Overall, the results suggest that feeding Black Tibetan sheep indoors with composite forage diet was beneficial to improve the mouthfeel of meat, its color and its nutritional value by altering the abundance of rumen bacteria which influenced muscle metabolism.

Necrose térmica dorsal em rebanho ovino brasileiro

ABSTRACT: Thermal burn injuries are very uncommon occurrences in small ruminants worldwide, and in Brazil, there are no descriptions of this condition. Herein we describe an outbreak of dorsal thermal necrosis in a flock of sheep in the municipality of Boca da Mata, in the Forest Zone of the State of Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil. Twelve ewes were separated from the flock for a general clinical examination and evaluation the serum levels of urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. In addition, biopsies of the skin and liver were performed on two severely affected sheep. The flock was raised in semi-intensively management in a pasture area without shading and receiving approximately eight hours of insolation daily and developed severe dermatitis that evolved to severe necrosis of the dorsal skin. Grossly, these lesions were only observed in the dorsal skin of black sheep, while sheep with white dorsal areas of skin were not affected. Microscopically, the epidermis and deep dermis of affected sheep showed diffuse coagulative necrosis, pigmentary incontinence, and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis. Dorsal thermal necrosis occurs only in the dorsal skin of black sheep in situations of excessive exposure to sunlight due to the accumulation of ultraviolet radiation. The distribution of the lesions, restricted to the dorsal area of the skin, is an important clinicopathological aspect in these cases that can help differentiate lesions caused by photosensitization, as they usually involve other anatomical sites. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of dorsal thermal necrosis in sheep in Brazil.

Retraction of a ‘hot-headed resignation’ caused by depression: Lessons from Cairncross/Legal and Tax (Pty) Ltd 2019 (2) BALR 137 (CCMA)

Unlike its celebrated siblings, Metropolitan Health Risk Management v Majatladi 2015 (36) ILJ 958 (LAC) (‘Majatladi’), National Health Laboratory Service v Yona (2015) 36 ILJ 2259 (LAC) (‘Yona’) and HC Heat Exchangers (Pty) Ltd v Araujo 2020 (3) BLLR 280 (LC) (‘HC Heat Exchangers’), Cairncross/Legal and Tax (Pty) Ltd 2019 (2) BALR 137 (CCMA) (‘Cairncross’) is the black sheep of the constructive dismissal family. The arbitration award in Cairncross brings into sharp focus emotional distress in the context of constructive dismissal. Cairncross provides a platform to isolate some of the critical issues that have arisen in recent times concerning constructive dismissal. First, there is a troublesome jurisdictional puzzle: Has the employee resigned or was he or she dismissed? Secondly, the case deals with the vexed question of what would constitute intolerable circumstances to continue the employment relationship, and in particular, whether work-related stress could form the basis of a constructive dismissal claim. In the case under scrutiny, the employee had claimed that her depression was attributable to the unbearable working environment. The basis of her claim of intolerability of continued employment was that an employer has a common-law and statutory duty to provide a safe working environment, which it had failed to deliver. Lastly, Cairncross also brings to the fore a consideration of the effect of tendering a resignation and the aggrieved employee’s subsequent attempt to withdraw it. The question that is answered is whether an employer’s failure to accept the withdrawal of resignation by an employee suffering from work-related stress constitutes a type of constructive dismissal.

Effect of Different Heat Treatments on the Quality and Flavor Compounds of Black Tibetan Sheep Meat by HS-GC-IMS Coupled with Multivariate Analysis.

There are limited reports about the effect of different heat treatments on the quality and flavor of Black Tibetan sheep meat. The current study examined the effect of pan-frying, deep-frying, baking, and boiling treatment on the quality of Black Tibetan sheep meat; the amino acid, fatty acid, and volatile flavor compounds (VFCs) were investigated by a texture analyzer, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility (HS-GC-IMS). The key VFCs were identified through orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA), and variable importance projection (VIP) values. In addition, Pearson’s correlations between meat quality parameters and key VFCs were examined. The sensory scores, including texture, color, and appearance, of baked and pan-fried meat were higher than those of deep-fried and boiled meat. The protein (40.47%) and amino acid (62.93 µmol/g) contents were the highest in pan-fried meat (p < 0.05). Additionally, it contained the highest amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, pan-fried and deep-fried meat had higher amounts of VFCs than baked meat. The OPLS-DA similarity and fingerprinting analyses revealed significant differences between the three heat treatment methods. Aldehydes were the key aroma compounds in pan-fried meat. Importantly, 3-methylbutyraldehyde and 2-heptanone contents were positively correlated with eicosenoic, oleic, isooleic, linoleic, α-Linolenic, and eicosadiene acids (p < 0.05). To sum up, pan-fried Black Tibetan sheep meat had the best edible, nutritional, and flavor quality.

Some genetic and non-genetic factors affecting a number of carcass characteristics in sheep

This study was conducted in one of the animal islands stores (private sector) in Suq Al-Shuyoukh district, south of Dhi Qar Governorate, for the period from 5/11/2021 to 8/5/2022 on a sample of 49 local Iraqi sheep (Orabi). The experiment included Slaughtering sheep in the butcher’s shop and studying some characteristics of the carcass and taking a sample of meat for the purpose of calculating some of the chemical properties of the meat samples. It was found that the age of the animal had a significant and clear effect on most of the studied traits, while the animal’s sex had no significant effect in all the studied traits. A significant effect was observed in the color of the wool In each of the characteristics of the percentage of dressing, water carrying capacity and the index of fiber breakage in meat. The results showed the selection of red and black sheep for the characteristics of water carrying capacity and the evidence of fiber breakage, and the selection of sheep of black and white colors for the characteristic of the clearing ratio.

Turning a blind eye on the black sheep: when are voters loyal to corrupt politicians?

When do voters turn a blind eye on corrupt politicians? Recent research suggests that voters might be willing to support corrupt politicians due to a lack of a ‘viable and clean alternative,’ i.e., voters prefer supporting a corrupt politician when the alternative is to support a politician who takes a fundamentally different policy stance. Following this argument, it has also been argued that especially corrupt politicians from radical parties are less likely to be punished by their voters as these voters are more hostile toward other parties. In other words, voters of radical parties are more likely to lack viable alternatives. Based on a survey experiment conducted in Germany, we put these hypotheses to an empirical test. We find evidence for the expected patterns. Supporters of radical parties are indeed less likely to switch their vote to a different party. However, our experiment also shows that this is because voters of radical parties are more likely to lack a viable alternative. When supporters of radical parties evaluate a clean alternative favorable, they are just as likely as voters of mainstream parties to switch away from the corrupt candidate. Finally, we show how strengths of partisan attachment affect voting for corrupt candidates.

Correlating multi-scale structure characteristics to mechanical behavior of Caprinae horn sheaths

Horns are used by Bovidae animals for intraspecific combat; as such they are among Nature's toughest materials that require resistance to extreme loads. As a typical subfamily among Bovidae, Caprinae own light-wight horn with balanced strength and toughness. However, their structure and the salient mechanisms that underlie their mechanical behavior remain uncertain. This work clarifies the effect of multi-scale structure characteristics on mechanical behaviors of horn sheath by comparing Cashmere goat, White goat and Black sheep. With the methods of fractographic observations, conformational analysis, acoustic emission and finite element methods. Conformation of keratin and strength of fibre were proposed to influence the tensile/flexural performance a lot under both dried and hydrated condition. The corrugated lamellae structure was assumed to promote crack deflection and enhance dried samples, which showed more advantageous for applications of flexural loading. It is hard to impute the difference of mechanics to any one factor, and the synergism of multi-scale mechanisms is important to mechanical properties in Caprinae horn sheath. This research is expected to further encourage the horn-inspired design of secondary load-carrying lightweight composites.

Comparative Analysis of the Composition of Fatty Acids and Metabolites between Black Tibetan and Chaka Sheep on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Simple SummaryChaka sheep are adapted to a harsh, highly saline environment and are also known for having typical sensory characteristics attributed to free-range conditions and grazing on wild plants. Black Tibetan sheep are located in Guinan county, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Hainan, Qinghai Province, and are well-adapted to the harsh plateau environment in China. In this study, we compared the fatty acids and metabolites in the longissimus dorsi muscle between Black Tibetan and Chaka sheep grazing in a highly saline environment. We found that upregulated organic acid and fatty acid biosynthesis increased the meat quality of Chaka sheep.The objective of this study was to investigate and compare fatty acids and metabolites in the longissimus dorsi muscle between Black Tibetan and Chaka sheep grazing in a highly saline environment. A total of eight castrated sheep (14 months old) with similar body weights (25 ± 2.2 kg) were selected. The experimental treatments included Black Tibetan (BT) and Chaka sheep (CK) groups, and each group had four replications. The experiment lasted for 20 months. All sheep grazed in a highly saline environment for the whole experimental period and had free access to water. The results showed that the diameter (42.23 vs. 51.46 μm), perimeter (131.78 vs. 166.14 μm), and area of muscle fibers (1328.74 vs. 1998.64 μm2) were smaller in Chaka sheep than in Black Tibetan sheep. The ash content in the longissimus dorsi was lower in Chaka sheep than in Black Tibetan sheep (p = 0.010), and the contents of dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), and crude protein (CP) in the longissimus dorsi showed no differences (p > 0.05). For fatty acids, the proportions of C10:0, C15:0, and tC18:1 in the longissimus dorsi were higher in Chaka sheep than in Black Tibetan sheep (p < 0.05). However, all other individual fatty acids were similar among treatments, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs), unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and the ratios of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs and PUFAs to SFAs (p > 0.05). A total of 65 biomarkers were identified between the two breeds of sheep. Among these metabolites, 40 metabolic biomarkers were upregulated in the CK group compared to the BT group, and 25 metabolites were downregulated. The main metabolites include 30 organic acids, 9 amino acids, 5 peptides, 4 amides, 3 adenosines, 2 amines, and other compounds. Based on KEGG analysis, eight pathways, namely, fatty acid biosynthesis, purine metabolism, the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, renin secretion, the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and the cAMP signaling pathway, were identified as significantly different pathways. According to the results on fatty acids and metabolites, upregulated organic acid and fatty acid biosynthesis increased the meat quality of Chaka sheep.

Less Punk, More Splatter: Heavy Metal, Horror Video, and the Literary Nasties of Shaun Hutson

Less Punk, More Splatter: Heavy Metal, Horror Video, and the Literary Nasties of Shaun Hutson

Consumer biases in the perception of organizational greed

AbstractThis article extends current models of how consumers judge or perceive organizations as greedy using the theoretical framework of motivated moral reasoning. We show that inherent features of an organization (size and ‘black sheep’ status) and its behaviour (relative frequency) bias consumer perceptions of organizational greed. We use an experimental methodology, present subjects with vignettes describing different scenarios, validate our questionnaire using confirmatory factor analysis, and test our hypotheses using a general linear model with covariates. Our findings suggest that consumer perceptions of organizational greed are subject to three effects: the underdog effect (Study 1, n = 496), the black sheep effect (Study 2, n = 229) and the ‘common is moral’ heuristic (Study 3, n = 249). This is the first study to investigate greed under a motivated reasoning paradigm and to show that perceptions of organizational greed are subject to socio‐psychological biases. This study also provides advice on branding and positioning strategies that appeal to the underdog status of an organization or its local origins.

Effects of supplementation with Cajanus cajan, Lablab purpureus and Cowpea on feed intake, growth performance and carcass characteristics of black head sheep fed a basal diet of Rhodes grass

Effects of supplementation with Cajanus cajan, Lablab purpureus and Cowpea on feed intake, growth performance and carcass characteristics of black head sheep fed a basal diet of Rhodes grass

When group members dissent: A direct comparison of the black sheep and intergroup sensitivity effects

How do people react to opinion conflict occurring within an ingroup? Whereas some work suggests that dissenting ingroup members evoke more negativity than equivalently dissenting outgroup members (termed the black sheep effect), other research instead finds that people are more receptive to dissent from within the group relative to the same opinion originating from outsiders (termed the intergroup sensitivity effect). We sought to integrate these largely independent lines of work by investigating how people react to opinion conflict within and between groups based on U.S. political party affiliation. Participants read about a target person, “Robert C.,” with whom they shared or did not share party affiliation. Robert C. criticized (Study 1; N = 637; preregistered) or insulted (Study 2; N = 647; preregistered) the Democratic or Republican party. Ingroup members who criticized or insulted the ingroup elicited more negativity than outgroup members who criticized or insulted the outgroup, representing the black sheep effect. Moreover, criticism and insults targeting the ingroup elicited more negativity when they originated from an outgroup (vs. ingroup) member, representing the intergroup sensitivity effect. Taken together, the present studies demonstrate that whereas ingroup critics are at times perceived as black sheep, they are also afforded a degree of benefit of the doubt. We suggest that both of these effects may be driven by social identity concerns.

Identification of Signatures of Selection for Litter Size and Pubertal Initiation in Two Sheep Populations.

Simple SummaryFecundity is an important economic trait of sheep that directly affects their economic and productive efficiency. Our study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci associated with sheep puberty or litter size which could be used in future breeding programs to improve fertility. We obtained one SNP on GNAQ gene (NC_040253.1: g.62677376G > A), which was associated with litter size in Cele Black sheep. Perhaps this SNP could be a criterion to screen polytocous sheep.Fecundity is an important economic trait in sheep that directly affects their economic and productive efficiency. Our study aimed to identify SNP loci associated with sheep puberty or litter size which could be used in future breeding programs to improve fertility. Genomic DNA was obtained from Hetian and Cele Black sheep breeds and used for reduced-representation genome sequencing to identify SNP loci associated with pubertal initiation and litter size. Selective signatures analysis was performed based on the fixation index and nucleotide diversity, followed by pathway analysis of the genes contained in the selected regions. The selected SNP loci in the genes associated with pubertal initiation and litter size were validated using both sheep breeds. In total, 384,718 high quality SNPs were obtained and 376 genes were selected. Functional annotation of genes and enrichment analysis identified 12 genes associated with pubertal initiation and 11 genes associated with litter size. SNP locus validation showed that two SNP on PAK1 and four on ADCY1 may be associated with pubertal initiation, and one SNP on GNAQ gene (NC_040253.1: g.62677376G > A) was associated with litter size in Cele Black sheep. Our results provide new theoretical support for sheep breeding.

From Pecore nere to Future: Anthologizing intersectional Blackness in contemporary Italy

ABSTRACT This article develops an analysis of Future (2019), the first anthology to bring together texts by Black Italian women and non-binary writers of African and Caribbean descent, and reads it in continuity with the pioneering anthology Pecore nere (Black Sheep) (2005), the first collection of short stories to thematize racial difference in postcolonial Italy. It initially articulates a reflection on the anthology as an autonomous genre that has had both a conservative and an innovative function in Italian literature and culture, and then examines how Future openly deploys an intersectional approach to denounce structural racism and sexism and to displace the white and whitening colonial male gaze. The article, furthermore, highlights how Future participates in a transnational creative and critical conversation with other Black feminists, Black Mediterranean and Black European authors, thus contributing to the de-centralization of US narratives about race while further enriching the debate about processes of racialization in Europe.

The Dynastic Imagination: Family and Modernity in Nineteenth-Century Germany

The Dynastic Imagination: Family and Modernity in Nineteenth-Century Germany

The french (non-)compliance with the european energy policy

In the early years of the common European Energy policy, France has been labelled a black sheep or a bad pupil when it came to applying European and international energy, climate and energy market frameworks. As the country is currently engaged, in its own energy transition process (la transition énergétique) the question arises if these attributions are still valid. This article argues that several points of conflict between Paris and Brussels in the field of energy policy can still be identified today, especially in the areas of market liberalisation, the non-ETS sector and the promotion of renewable energy. Following the EU-compliance theory, the reasons for Paris’ deviations can be identified as both intentional and unintentional. On the one hand France is still politically reluctant to fully commit to Brussels energy policy objectives as they clash with the country’s view on the energy sector as a public welfare task. On the other hand, France faces systemic constraints due to its strong nuclear fleet, that dominates the country’s energy sector and therefore reduces Paris’ manoeuvrability within the European Energy framework. Because of this, France should be seen as an involuntary black sheep today, when it comes to non-compliance in EU-energy policy. Based on recent policy developments as well as energy production, consumption and GHG-emission data this article describes the current state of French and European energy and climate policies before analysing Paris’ performance towards the European framework goals as well as political reasons and structural constraints that inhibit further progress.

The Study of Mechanical Behaviors of Caprinae Horn Sheath under Pendulum Impact.

As a light-weight natural keratin biocomposite, Bovidae horn exhibits high mechanical properties and energy absorption. Different to the widely studied horn from subfamily Bovinae and Antilocapridae, few studies have focused on the horn sheath of subfamily Caprinae. In this work, three Caprinae horn sheathes from Cashmere goat, White goat and Black sheep were selected. Charpy pendulum impact tests were performed, and the fracture characteristics were evaluated. It was demonstrated that water plays an important role in acquiring balanced dynamic mechanical properties in all Caprinae horn sheaths. The hydrated keratin provides large plastic deformation capacity and further gives rise to a gradual generation of micro-cracks. Multi-scale structure including wavy-shaped interface, scattered voids and hierarchical micro-fibre were observed. Such a structure induced complex fracture mechanisms, such as delamination, 90° crack deflection and fibre pull-out, which were probably influenced by interfacial strength. The results are expected to endow the research and thinking of Bovidae horn.