THE STRUCTURE OF THE SKIN OF YOUNG CROSSBRED SHEEP

he article discusses the features of the histological structure of the skin of crossbred sheep. The results of a comparative study of some morphological features of the histological structure of the skin of young meat and wool sheep of the West Kazakhstan are presented. Ewe lambs from the selection of stud rams with 48 and 50 wool quality mated with ewes of 56 wool quality had thicker skin, while the skin was somewhat thinner in the group where stud rams of 48 and 50 wool quality were paired with ewes of 58 wool quality. The total skin thickness of ewe lambs from the first selection (rams – 48, ewes – 56 wool quality) was 2698.7 µm, whereas in the second selection (rams – 50, ewes – 58 wool quality), this indicator was 2548.8 µm. Studies have shown that crossbred lambs are born with developed skin and hair coat. The results of study of histological structure of the skin showed that the offspring obtained from ewes with 56 wool quality with rams of 48 and 50 quality are characterized by higher indicators of the total skin thickness and a better developed pilar layer. This skin structure had a significant impact on the growth of longer wool, primarily of 56 quality. Ewe lambs obtained from rams with 50 wool quality and ewes with 58 wool quality had lower overall skin thickness and a thinner pilar layer compared to their peers in the first three groups. However, these ewe lambs had denser wool and a better ratio of secondary to primary follicles.