Cortical Cell Types and their Distribution in Wool Fibres

Abstract

A method of determining cell types in wool fibres by methylene-blue staining has been extended to allow relationships between cortical cell type and cortical diameter to be studied in wools from individual sheep. Application of the method to wools from 12 sheep from six breeds showed that orthocortical cells were the predominant cell type produced. The percentage area occupied by orthocortical cells in a fibre cross-section increased with increasing cortical diameter in either a curvilinear (log-linear) or a linear manner. Nutritional stress or season may have affected the relationship in some sheep.