Fleece and skin traits of goats of different genetic types reared in southern Italy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate thè qualitative and quantitative characteristics of down fibre production and of thè percentage of active hair follicles in several genetic types of Italian goats. The trial was carried out in two regions of southern Italy, Basilicata and Calabria. Two hundred and eighty aduli female goats of five different genetic types were used in this study: Azzara population, Nicastrese population, Red Syrian breed, Garganica breed and Calabrese population. A significant effect (PO.05) of genetic type on cashmere diameter, standard deviation of cashmere diameter, yield, down length, guard hair length, crimps, secondary and active primary hair follicles was noted. Calabrese goats presented thè lowest diameter values (13.03 um) while thè highest diameter was observed in thè Red Syrian breed (13.88 urn). Cashmere yield was higher in Calabrese (9.6 %), Nicastrese (9.1 %), and Red Syrian (7.7 %), than in other genetic types. Cashmere length values were higher (P<0.05) in thè Nicastrese (31 mm) and Calabrese (30 mm) groups than Azzara and Garganica groups. Guard hair length was lowest in Azzara population (88 mm) and highest in Garganica breed (233 mm). Active secondary follicles were higher in thè Calabrese, Azzara and Nicastrese (57.9%, 51.5%, 43.9%) goats compared to Red Syrian and Garganica groups. The proportion of active primary follicles was similar in Azzara, Nicastrese and Calabrese goats, and it was lower than in Red Syrian and Garganica breeds.