Yak hair stretches mainly due to macromolecules slipping past each other.
10 citations
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December 2021 in “Frontiers in cell and developmental biology” The research identified genes that explain why some sheep have curly wool and others have straight wool.
IRS-specific genes in Tan sheep hair follicles peak at birth and may affect wool crimp.
January 1957 in “Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho” Rabbit hair color is influenced by the shape and distribution of pigment granules.
1 citations
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August 2024 in “Animals” KRT85 gene variations can help improve wool traits in sheep through selective breeding.
The FOS gene helps hair growth in Tan sheep.
2 citations
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January 2023 in “Frontiers in Genetics” Overexpressing ovine β-catenin in mice skin increases hair follicle density and growth.
67 citations
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December 1990 in “The journal of cell biology/The Journal of cell biology” Researchers found genes for cysteine-rich proteins that form the protective layer of hair in humans and sheep.
1 citations
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January 2013 in “China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine” VEGF increases in goat hair follicles during fetal development, boosting skin blood vessel density.
1 citations
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April 2025 in “Animals” The KRTAP13-3 gene affects wool fibre diameter variability in Chinese Tan sheep.
210 citations
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February 2008 in “Nature genetics” Mutations in the P2RY5 gene cause autosomal recessive woolly hair.
36 citations
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June 1988 in “Australian Journal of Biological Sciences” Mouse epidermal growth factor injections in sheep affected wool growth and skin, but saline did not.
1 citations
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January 2020 in “Qucosa (Saxon State and University Library Dresden)” Fine hair on bovine leathers is hard to remove, lowering leather quality and value, but can be managed with specific processing methods.
October 2014 in “Springer eBooks” Rabbit hair fibers are similar to wool and have a hollow center like feathers.
April 2026 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” The Lanyu pig's hair follicles are similar to human ones, making it useful for studying skin healing.
February 2023 in “Medicine in novel technology and devices” Microneedles with traditional Chinese medicine can help regrow hair in androgenic alopecia.
December 2025 in “International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research” Malvi cattle hair varies in color and pattern across different body regions.
November 2022 in “Animal Bioscience” Adding methionine to a low-protein diet helps Angora rabbits grow better fur.
January 2009 in “Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide)” Identifying and manipulating key genes can improve wool quality and productivity in sheep.
26 citations
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October 1996 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Goat hair follicles have insulin-like growth factor-I receptors that might affect hair growth, but no melatonin receptors were found.
34 citations
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September 2007 in “Experimental Dermatology” The outer layer of Merino wool is rich in sulfur proteins, making it resistant to damage.
13 citations
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February 2019 in “Zoology” Lustre mutant sheep have normal hair structure and proteins but differ in felting properties.
2 citations
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February 2025 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Key proteins and pathways regulate yak hair growth, with lipid metabolism aiding adaptation to high altitudes.
1 citations
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January 2012 in “Indian Journal of Small Ruminants (The)” Chegu goats have two types of hair follicles, with primary ones having glands and muscles, and secondary ones lacking them.
January 2026 in “Ethnobiology” 24 citations
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October 2019 in “Genes” A new sheep gene, KRTAP36-1, may help breed sheep with better wool by reducing prickle factor.
April 2024 in “Journal of wildlife diseases” Muskox hair growth rates vary widely, so a single growth rate can't be used for all populations.
July 2022 in “New Zealand journal of agricultural research” The KRTAP27-1 gene variations in sheep may affect wool length and weight.