Abstract

The effect of nutrition on fibre growth cycles and medullation in skin of Angora goats was investigated by microscopy of transverse sections of hair follicles. Samples of skin and fleece were taken at regular intervals between August 1989 and August 1990 from non- reproducing does fed either maintenance (MPA) or ad libitum (HPA) pasture allowances. There were no differences in follicle activity between nutritional treatment groups for any of the 11 sample dates. Primary follicles grew and shed their fibres seasonally, with the main growth period from September to May and the mean nadir of 26

LR, Matthews, AE Uljee, KJ Bremner, AM Painting, LR Cate, and JF Smith

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 51, , 315-318, 1991