Local Sheep Research Articles

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.

The Reproductive Performance of Local Sheep Following Induced Superovulation With Cattle Hypophisa Extracts

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pituitary extract on estrous characteristics and the percentage of pregnancy in sheep. This study used a sample of 18 individuals. This study used 3 treatments 6 replications. The treatment used was the control treatment by giving 1 ml of PGF2α. Treatment 1 is by administering 1 ml of PGF2α, 1;0.5;0.25 ml of pituitary extract and 1 ml of PGF2α. Treatment 2 is by administering 1 ml of PGF2α, 2;1;0.5 ml of pituitary extract and 1 ml of PGF2α. The results showed that there was a very significant difference in the use of pituitary extract, this could affect the onset of estrus 0.00 (P<0.01), and there was also a significant difference (P<0.05) in the intensity of estrus.

Impact of growth hormone receptor gene on measurements of dimen-sions and body weights of local Iraqi sheep

This research involved a sample of 50 local Iraqi sheep, consisting of 27 males and 23 females, aged between 5 and 17 months. Data collection occurred during two distinct seasonal periods: October 2022 and January 2023. The primary objective was to investigate the variations in the expression of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) and its influence on the physical attributes of local Iraqi sheep within this age range. The results showed that the GHR gene exhibited a marked increase in expression during the second seasonal timeframe with levels of 23.8 ± 0.2 and 29.7 ±1.4 for first period. This increase in gene expression was paralleled by substantial differences in the sheep's body weights, with values of 33.7376±0.732(kg) for the first seasonal period and 35.77±1.111(kg) for the second seasonal period. Similarly, the dressing percentage showed significant differences, with values of 47.71±0.49 (kg) for the first period and 50.11±0.59 (kg) for the second period. Furthermore, carcass weight demonstrated highly statistically significant variations, measuring 16.037±0.440 (kg) during the first seasonal period and 17.978±0.655 (kg) during the second seasonal period. Gender-based analyses revealed significant disparities, with males exhibiting greater weight measurements (kg) (36.764±1.002) compared to females (32.122±806.0). The same trend was observed in carcass weight (18.362±0.606 for males and 15.242±0.369 for females), dressing percentage (49.8±0.0062 for males and 47.8±0.0047 for females), and viscera weight (1.382±0.029 for males and 1.258±0.032 for females). In addition to these findings, body dimension measurements (cm) showed significant differences in lump height, with measurements of 67.81±0.891 in the first period and 64.88±0.717 in the second period. However, non-significant differences were observed in other body dimension measurements. These findings have implications for understanding the genetic factors affecting the growth and development of sheep which can inform breeding and livestock management practices.

How valuable are the ecosystem services of local animal breeds? The case of Kalaritiko sheep in Greece

The loss of local sheep breeds (LSB) and Animal Genetic Resources in general threatens the nutrition and livelihood security of the present and future generations. Market forces and new production patterns are the main factors that have led to the underestimation of the Total Economic Value (TEV) (i.e. the aggregated use and non-use values) of LSB and, consequently, to their substitution by high-yielding imported ones. The objective of this study is to estimate the TEV of the Kalaritiko sheep (KaS) using the Ecosystem Services (ES) framework. For this purpose, a choice experiment was implemented analyzing the societal preferences of Attica Region dwellers regarding the most important ES stemming from the traditional, pasture-based production system (PPs) of KaS. Our results show that important use and non-use values are relevant to KaS PPs. The findings of this study call for the establishment of an incentive mechanism, where reformed agri-environmental policies can work synergistically with new marketing strategies, contributing to the valorization and protection of KaS and so its traditional PPs.

Antilisterial activity of raw sheep milk from two native Epirus breeds: Culture-dependent identification, bacteriocin gene detection and primary safety evaluation of the antagonistic LAB biota

Raw milk from native small ruminant breeds in Epirus, Greece, is a valuable natural source of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with superior biotechnological properties. In this study, two bulk milks (RM1, RM2) from two local sheep yards, intended for traditional Kefalotyri cheese production, were preselected for bacteriocin-like antilisterial activity by in vitro tests. Their antagonistic LAB biota was quantified followed by polyphasic (16S rRNA gene sequencing; IGS for Enterococcus; a multiplex-PCR for Leuconostoc) identification of 42 LAB (RM1/18; RM2/24) isolates further evaluated for bacteriocin encoding genes and primary safety traits. Representative isolates of the numerically dominant mesophilic LAB were Leuconostoc mesenteroides (10) in both RMs, Streptococcus parauberis (7) in RM2, and Lactococcus lactis (1) in RM1; the subdominant thermophilic LAB isolates were Enterococcus durans (8), E. faecium (6), E. faecalis (3), E. hirae (1), E. hermanniensis (1), Streptococcus lutetiensis (2), S. equinus (1) and S. gallolyticus (1). Based on their rpoB, araA, dsr and sorA profiles, six Ln. mesenteroides strains (8 isolates) were atypical lying between the subspecies mesenteroides and dextranicum, whereas two strains profiled with Ln. mesenteroides subsp. jonggajibkimchii that is first-time reported in Greek dairy food. Two RM1 E. faecium strain biotypes (3 isolates) showed strong, enterocin-mediated antilisterial activity due to entA/entB/entP possession. One E. durans from RM1 possessed entA and entP, while additional nine RM2 isolates of the E. faecium/durans group processed entA or entP singly. All showed direct (cell-associated) antilisterial activity only, as also both S. lutetiensis strains from RM2 did strongly. Desirably, no LAB isolate was β-hemolyrtic, or cytolysin-positive, or possessed vanA, vanB for vancomycin resistance, or agg, espA, hyl, and IS16 virulence genes. However, all three E. faecalis from RM2 possessed gelE and/or ace virulence genes. In conclusion, all Ln. mesenteroides strains, the two safe, enterocin A-B-P-producing E. faecium strains, and the two antilisterial S. lutetiensis strains should be validated further as potential costarter or adjunct cultures in Kefalotyri cheese. The prevalence of α-hemolytic pyogenic streptococci in raw milk, mainly S. parauberis in RM2, requires consideration in respect to subclinical mastitis in sheep and the farm hygiene overall.

Utilization of Fermented Kepok Banana Stems Using Eco enzymes on the Performance of Local Male Sheep

The provision of kepok banana stems fermented with eco enzymes as local male sheep feed was carried out at the Alfino pen on Jalan Tunas Mekar, Tuntungan II Village. Pancur Batu District, Deli Serdang Regency, North of Sumatra. The study was conducted experimentally using a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments were P0 = 80% natural grass + 20% Concentrate, P1 = 70% natural grass + 10% Banana Stem Fermentation + 20% Concentrate, P2 = 60% natural grass + 20% Banana Stem Fermentation + 20% Concentrate. Parameters observed were feed consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion. The results showed that the provision of kepok banana stem fermentation with eco enzymes as feed for local male sheep showed decrease of feed consumption, had no significant effect on body weight gain and feed conversion. The conclusion of the study showed that giving kepok banana stems fermentation with eco enzyme as additional feed for local male sheep with increasing doses could increase body weight gain with lower consumption and smaller feed conversion.

Study the Leptin Gene Polymorphism and its Relationship with a Number of Carcass Traits in Iraqi Sheep

The study was conducted on a group of local sheep in the Suq Al-Shuyukh district, south of Thi-Qar province. It included the slaughter of 48 animals in a butcher shop. The aim of the study was to determine the genotypes of the leptin gene using nucleotide sequencing technology and its relationship with a number of carcass traits in local sheep. Through the nucleotide sequencing of the targeted genetic segment of the leptin gene (471 bp) in local sheep, it was found that there was one mutation at position 311 within the studied region of the leptin gene. This mutation resulted in the change of the nitrogen base G to T, leading to the substitution of the amino acid valine with leucine. The variation (mutation) occurred in exon 3 at amino acid position 95. Therefore, this mutation is considered a missense mutation and appeared in three genetic patterns: GG, GT, and TT, with distribution ratios as follows: the highest distribution was for the hybrid genotype (GT), followed by the genotype GG and TT. Most of the studied traits did not show significant differences between the three genotypes of the targeted genetic segment of the leptin gene, except for the significant superiority (P<0.01) of sheep with the hybrid genotype (GT) in the carcass diameter trait and the significant superiority (P<0.01) of sheep with the mutant genotype (TT) in the meat pH trait.

Relationship of DIO2 Gene with Productive Traits in Awassi Sheep in Thi-Qar Governorate

The research included 59 animals from the local Awassi sheep at the Sheep and Goats Research Station, in Al-Shatrah district, north of Thi Qar Governorate, Thi Qar Agriculture Directorate, from 20/10/2022 to 10/2/2023, to study the effect of the genotypes of the G>C.164 mutation on body dimensions and wool characteristics in local Awassi sheep. The study included measuring the characteristics of body dimensions (body length, front height, rear height, breast circumference and breast width), wool characteristics (staple length, fiber length and fiber diameter), by studying the nucleotide sequence (Sequencing) on the target genetic segment. The size of 350 base pairs was found to be located in exon 2 of the DIO2 gene in the local Awassi sheep sample. The presence of the C>G mutation at site 164, which is a missense mutation that changes the amino acid Proline (P) to Alanine (A), by calculating the allelic frequency, it was found that the C allele was significantly superior to the G allele in the G>C. 164 mutation, two genotypes (CC and CG) were found to have a significant correlation with most of the studied traits, except for fiber diameter. The highly significant superiority of the hybrid genotype CG in the G>C.164 mutant was observed in body length, front and hind height, breast circumference and breast width compared to the wild CC genotype. The wild genotype CC was significantly superior in staple length and fiber length in the same mutant.

The Relationship of the Genotype of the LEPR Gene with a Number of Carcass Traits of Sheep

This study was conducted in Suq Al-Shuyoukh district, south of Thi-Qar Governorate, on local sheep group, included the slaughter of a sample of sheep consisting of 48 animals. The live body weight, the age and sex of the animal were recorded, and a blood sample was taken for each animal, and some carcass traits have been recorded. Blood samples were used for the purpose of DNA extraction (Molecular screening of the target segment of the leptin receptor gene, with the aim of determining the genotypes of the leptin receptor gene, by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, and the relationship genotypes to a number of carcass traits of local sheep). The results of the PCR analysis of the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) of local sheep, showed the presence of a single mutation at position 227 within the studied region of the leptin receptor gene, appeared with three genotypes: AA, AG, and GG, in which the nitrogenous base A changed to G, the mutation occurred in the region of intron number 8. No change or mutation occurred in exon 8, as for the location of the mutation on chromosome No. 20, it occurred at site 41221676, therefore, this mutation is considered a silent mutation, it produced three genotypes: AG, AA, and GG, and their distribution rates were 62, 21, and 17%, respectively. The difference between these percentages was highly significant, by calculating the allelic frequency, the A allele was superior (0.52) over the G allele (0.48) of the leptin receptor gene in the studied sheep sample. The results of the current study showed highly significant differences (P<0.01) between the three genotypes of the target gene segment of the leptin receptor gene LEPR for most of the studied traits.

Effect of Breeds on some Semen Characteristics of Awassi Ram and Its Crossbreed

Ram fertility is important for herd productivity. However, low fertility of local Awassi sheep is present. The objective of this study was to study the effect of Awassi, Krishi, and its crossbreed on some physical and chemical semen characteristics. Twelve rams were used in the study, including (4) Awassi, (4) Krishi, and (4) Crossbreed (Awassi X Krishi). Semen was collected from all rams. Samples were evaluated immediately following collection. Volume, concentration, mass activity, individual motility, live and dead sperm (%), abnormal sperm (%), pH, Aspartate aminotransferase (G.O.T), alanine aminotransferase (G.P.T), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated in this study. The results indicated that the mass activity and individual motility were significantly greater (P<0.01) in (Awassi X Krishi) compared to Awassi and Krishi, respectively. Also, life sperm was significantly greater in (Awassi X Krishi) compared to Krishi but not Awassi Ram. In addition, dead and abnormal sperm was significantly reduced in (Awassi X Krishi) compared to Krashi but did not differ from Awassi. However, volume, concentration, pH, G.O.T, G.P.T, and ALP were not significantly different among groups. In conclusion, ram semen characteristics differed between breeds. This research brings new promising results regarding crossbreeding (Krishi X Awassi) on sperm parameters. An additional study is prepared to evaluate the effect of breed on antioxidant parameters.

Using the pop-gene program to study two genetic sites of the growth hormone gene in Iraqi local sheep

Using the pop-gene program to study two genetic sites of the growth hormone gene in Iraqi local sheep

Effect of Breed on some Production Traits and Reproductive Traits of Local Sheep

The current study was conducted at Khairat Al-Etihad station in the Shomali region-Babylon. Twenty-four ewes of the Awassi and Al-Krishi breeds and their mixtures were used in the study for the period from August 11, 2022 to April 23, 2023. To study the effect of the breed on some production traits such as lamb weight at birth, weaning, and body dimensions measurements. Various types such as body length, front height, rear height, chest circumference, and abdominal circumference, as well as studying some reproductive traits such as fertility rates, twins, and births in the same abdomen. The results of the current study showed that there was no significant effect of the breed on the weight of lambs at birth. As for body dimensions, the group of lambs resulting from crossbreeding sheep was significantly superior (p<0.05) in body length only to the Awassi and Kreishi lambs. respectively, The breed recorded a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the weight of lambs at weaning, as the group of lambs resulting from mixed ewes outperformed the lambs produced from Awassi and Krishi ewes, as well as in the traits of forefoot height, chest circumference, and abdominal circumference. Also, the group of mixed lambs was significantly (p<0.05) superior to the Awassi and Kreishi lambs. As for the reproductive traits studied, the breed had a significant effect on a number of reproductive traits, where the group of Awassi ewes was significantly superior at the level of (P < 0.01) over the two groups of Al-Kreishi and their mixtures in trait of the number of births, and at the level of (P < 0.05) in the two traits of the number and percentage of pregnant ewes and the fertility rate and excelled. The group of mixed ewes was significantly (P<0.01) on the two groups of Awassi and Kreishi in terms of the percentage of twins and the number of births in one litter. As for the traits of the length of pregnancy, the number of ewes born at birth, the number of births and the number of twins, the breed did not record a significant effect on it.

Reproduction characteristic of local sheep in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia

In Indonesia, sheep farming is an important activity and contribute significantly to meat production and farmers welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the reproduction activities of sheep from several districts in North Sumatra Province. Data were analyzed using general linear model with body weight, body condition score and litter size as dependent variables, whereas the independent variables was location, breed, sex and age, respectively. The result showed that body weight was significantly influenced (P<0.05) by sex, age and location of the study with LS mean of 21.7 kg. The least square means of body condition score was 2.1 and there was significant contribution (P<0.05) of location, sex and age, respectively. The least square means of litter size from this study was 1.36, with the range from 1-3 and there was no significant influence (P>0.05) of location, breed and age, respectively. The higher proportion of ewes compared to ram, the availability young sheep as well as the pre-weaning lambs, indicating that mating, lambing and raising post weaning lambs occurred accordingly and not influenced by season. The plantation areas seem favorable for sheep development in the region.

Multiple Linear Regression Equations to Estimate the Body Weight of Waringin Sheep Based on Morphometric Characteristics in Various Age Groups.

Waringin sheep is a new breed of sheep resulting from a cross between local sheep, Barbados sheep and St.Croix sheep. This study aims to determine the morphometric characteristics of ewes and rams Waringin sheep at different ages in Stabat District, Langkat Regency. This study used a descriptive method by collecting data in the field, the data collected were 99 ewes Waringin sheep and 66 rams Waringin sheep and observed their morphometric characteristics starting from body weight, body length, skull length, skull width, body height, and chest circumference, chest width, chest depth, front leg length, hind leg length, hip width, hip height, tail length, tail width, crotch length, crotch width, and canon circumference. Data were analyzed using the SPSS application with multiple linear regression methods used to determine the relationship between the morphometric relationship between Waringin sheep and their body weight. The results showed that almost 90% of the morphometrics of Waringin sheep affected the body weight of the sheep using linear regression analysis.

The Effect of Feeding Odot Grass and Ecoenzyme Fermented Rice Straw on The Performance of Local Rams

This study aims to determine the effect of odot grass and rice straw fermented using ecoenzyme (Garbage Enzyme) on the performance of local male sheep. This research was carried out in the firuza enclosure from September 8 to November 8, 2020. The method used is a complete randomized design (RAL) with 5 practices and 4 repeats. The treatment consists of 100% odot grass + 0% fermented rice straw (PO), 75% odot grass + 25% fermented rice straw (P1), 50% odot grass + 50% fermented rice straw (P2), 25% odot grass + 75% fermented rice straw (P3), 0% odot grass + 100% fermented rice straw (P4). The parameters studied were weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion and Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC). The results of the study had a significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion. Based on this study, it can be concluded that high feed consumption is not comparable to low weight gain resulting in high conversion.

Genetic diversity, population structure, and selective signature of sheep in the northeastern Tarim Basin.

Local sheep in the northeastern Tarim Basin can adapt to dry and low-rainfall regional environments. In this study, three local sheep breeds in the northeastern Tarim Basin, LOP (LOP) sheep, Bayinbuluke (BYK) sheep, and Kunlun (KUN, also known as the Qiemo sheep) sheep, and three introduced sheep breeds, Suffolk (SUF) sheep, Dorset (APD) sheep, and Texel (TEX) sheep, were analyzed for genetic diversity, population structure, and selective signature using the Illumina OvineSNP50K BeadChip. We found that LOP, BYK, and KUN had lower observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity than TEX, SUF, and ADP, which were differentiated based on geographic distribution. We performed fixation index (FST) analysis on three local sheep breeds in the northeastern Tarim Basin (LOP, BYK, and KUN) and introduced sheep breeds (TEX, SUF, and ADP) to measure genetic differentiation. Nucleotide diversity (PI) analysis was performed on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data of LOP, BYK, and KUN. A total of 493 candidate genes were obtained by taking the intersection at a threshold of 5%. Among them, SMAD2, ESR2, and HAS2 were related to reproductive traits. PCDH15, TLE4, and TFAP2B were related to growth traits. SOD1, TSHR, and DNAJB5 were related to desert environmental adaptation. Analyzing the genetic patterns of local sheep in the northeastern Tarim Basin can protect the germplasm resources of local sheep and promote the development and utilization of sheep genetic resources.

Tradycja i innowacyjność w ochronie środowiska przyrodniczego regionów górskich

Aim of the study: Pastoral management in Europe is an important element in protecting biodiversity and the landscape. Shepherding stimulates the development of the market of traditional and regional products, handicrafts and services. Pastoral farming in Europe is an important element of biodiversity and landscape protection. Shepherding stimulates the development of the market for traditional, regional products, handicrafts and services. For many years, wool was an important product obtained in mountain areas from local sheep breeds, now treated as a waste product. The aim of the study is to describe farming methods in mountain areas, indicating innovative possibilities of using sheep wool. Material and methods: The material consisted of literature studies and own research on management in mountain areas. Own research and literature analyzes have shown that, due to its properties, wool obtained from mountain sheep can be used as a natural fiber in a biodegradable composite and constitute an alternative to plastic packaging. The introduction of natural fibers in the fertilizer composite can improve not only soil fertility but also bring economic effects, such as the use of wool of Polish mountain sheep as part of the circular economy. Results and conclusions: Summarize, the search for alternative directions for the use of sheep wool is of strategic importance for maintaining and even increasing the sheep population in Poland and in other European Union countries. Occurring soil droughts in the summer period affect the reduction of plant yields, and for this reason, the application of biodegradable biocomposite to the soil will not have a negative impact on the environment of mountain pastures and meadows.

Genome-wide identification of candidate copy number polymorphism genes associated with complex traits of Tibetan-sheep

Copy number variation (CNV) is a genetic structural polymorphism important for phenotypic diversity and important economic traits of livestock breeds, and it plays an important role in the desired genetic variation. This study used whole genome sequencing to detect the CNV variation in the genome of 6 local Tibetan sheep groups. We detected 69,166 CNV events and 7230 copy number variable regions (CNVRs) after merging the overlapping CNVs, accounting for 2.72% of the reference genome. The CNVR length detected ranged from 1.1 to 1693.5 Kb, with a total length of 118.69 Mb and an average length of 16.42 Kb per CNVR. Functional GO cluster analysis showed that the CNVR genes were mainly involved in sensory perception systems, response to stimulus, and signal transduction. Through CNVR-based Vst analysis, we found that the CACNA2D3 and CTBP1 genes related to hypoxia adaptation, the HTR1A gene related to coat color, and the TRNAS-GGA and PIK3C3 genes related to body weight were all strongly selected. The findings of our study will contribute novel insights into the genetic structural variation underlying hypoxia adaptation and economically important traits in Tibetan sheep.

Comparative genomic characterization of indigenous fat‐tailed Akkaraman sheep with local and transboundary sheep breeds

AbstractThe domestic sheep with over 1200 breeds descended from those early domesticated animals that are bred for a variety of resources such as meat, milk and wool. Akkaraman, a fat‐tailed indigenous sheep breed of Türkiye, is widespread throughout Central Anatolia, with the largest indigenous sheep population. Assessing the genetic diversity and genomic structure of animal breeds is among the key contributors to deciphering adaptation to environmental extremes and constructing efficient genetic improvement strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the genome of Akkaraman breed against various world‐renowned transboundary sheep and indigenous sheep with fat and thin tails. Genetic similarities and differences between those breeds have been displayed by estimating and comparing various genetic diversity indices, linkage disequilibrium (LD) estimates and fixation index (FST), runs of homozygosity (ROH) as well as PCA and neighbour‐joining tree analysis. Akkaraman sheep were observed to form a cluster alongside Moghani, Karakas, Tibetan and Cyprus Fat Tail sheep, which are primarily the sole representatives of fat‐tailed sheep in the study. This clustering was evident in both the PCA and neighbour‐joining tree analysis. The Akkaraman sheep was also observed to have the lowest genomic inbreeding and one of the lowest numbers of ROHs, which might also indicate that the breed has not been exposed to historical intensive selection pressure, inbred mating or a massive population bottleneck that might leave strong marks of genomic homozygosity. The results improve our understanding of the genetic diversity in Akkaraman sheep in comparison with certain mainstream sheep breeds as well as those indigenous breeds from around the world. Additionally, findings will also provide valuable insights to perform further GWAS effectively by considering population structure, diversity and LD patterns observed among the breeds while providing practical knowledge that will contribute to designing efficient and successful genome‐based selection programmes for worldwide sheep production systems.

Evaluation of the Wool Production on Romanian Sheep Breeds

Abstract Sheep breeding is a traditional activity in Romania and wool production has been for a long period the main resource for the farmers’ prosperity. The opportunity of this study was generated by two main aspects: the change of the exploitation directions of sheep towards milk and meat production, which contributed to the lack of interest in selection and breeding for wool and to the reduction of the productive level and quality parameters of the wool; the absence of a national standard for classifying raw wool adapted to the current breeds structure, the conditions of sheep farming and the market requirements for this animal product An extensive study was carried out over 5 years on flocks of sheep belonging to the main local breeds Merinos de Palas, Tsigaie, Tsurcana, the newly created breeds at ICDCOC Palas Constanta respective Palas Meat Breed, Palas Milk Breed, Palas Prolific Breed as well as on some hybrids obtained through crossbreeding of new breeds with imported sheep breeds specialised for meat production (Texel and Rouge de l’ Ouest). The main goals of this study were: to establish the average level of wool production, the limits of variation and the potential for selection for wool quantity, by individual weighing of the wool fleeces harvested during the shearing season; to evaluate the wool quality level in the flocks analysed on the basis of the objective determination, by laboratory analysis on randomly collected samples, of the average fibre diameter, relative length of the staples, individual fibre length, degree of crimp, degree of impurity and the limits of variation of these quality parameters. This paper presents a summary of the values obtained for the quantity of raw wool and the fineness of wool as an essential quality parameter for the classification and valorisation of this natural resource. The results obtained in the study revealed in general a large variability in the productivity level of local sheep breeds and their hybrids with specialised imported breeds. The existence in the analysed herds of a percentage of 40-50 % of sheep performing above the flocks average (plusvariants) shows a potential for selection for the quantitative level of wool production. Thus, for these selected flocks (lines) an additional 10.23 ≈ 24.09 % wool production can be obtained compared to the averages levels. In terms of average fineness the analysis of the data shows that : the Palas Merino sheep, fall into the category of fine wool breeds; the three new sheep breeds created at ICDCOC Palas and the Tsigaie breed belonging to the Reghin - Mures Experimental Base have semi-fine wool (fiber diameter over 25 microns); the flock of White Tsurcana breed from the Bilciuresti - Dambovita Experimental Base falls into the category of sheep with semi coarse - coarse wool. The range of variation in diameter was very wide for all the breeds analysed. Thus in the Palas Merino breed differences of 5-7.5 μm between the maximum and minimum diameter measured represent according to the Bradford classification (English system) a difference of 7 fineness classes . The Tsigai breed has also a large uneveness of this parameter, CV over 20 % in rams and sheep yearlings. The analysis of the data on wool diameter revealed that more than 40% of the studied sheeps had above-average fineness, they could constitute selected flocks (lines) with higher values of the main wool quality parameter that determines the market value. Thus an increase in wool fineness of 3.63 ≈ 11.52 % can be achieved within a selected flock . The results presented showed that, under the current conditions of breeding and exploitation of sheep in the analized flocks, there is a potential of selection for wool production and for fibre diameter as the main quality parameter . Also, on the basis of the analysis carried out on the grading/classing/sorting of wool worldwide and the results obtained within this study, proposals were made to improve the quantity and increase the commercial value of wool production obtained from the sheep breeds reared in Romania.