Prediction of clean mohair, fiber diameter, vegetable matter, and medullated fiber with near-infrared spectroscopy.

Four experiments were conducted in three separate years to test the utility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the clean mohair content of Angora goat fleece. Mohair fleece samples were obtained each year from yearling billies at the conclusion of the Angora Goat Performance Test conducted at the Texas A&M University Research Station, Sonora. In Exp. 1 (n = 293) and Exp. 2 (n = 256), fleeces were scanned with a Pacific Scientific (Silver Spring, MD) near-infrared spectrometer fitted with a fiber-optic probe, and calibrations were developed for clean mohair content. In Exp. 3, 59 mohair fleeces collected at the Texas A&M Research Station in San Angelo were sampled four times each. Each sample was scanned with the same spectrometer in reflectance mode fitted with a transport mechanism. This mechanism allowed the instrument to scan a 15-cm2 segment of the fleece sample. Conventional procedures to determine reference values for mohair yield, vegetable matter content, fiber diameter, and percentage of medullated and kemp fibers were conducted. Prediction equations were developed that related NIR spectra to reference values for yield and diameter parameters and were used to predict mohair characteristics for each fleece sample. The predicted and reference values were subjected to a simple analysis of variance to determine variation within and across samples. In Exp. 1, mohair base was related to NIR spectra with R2 = .46 and standard error of calibration (SEC) = 2.84%. In Exp. 2, similar repeatability errors for mohair base could be obtained for both reference- and NIRS-derived values. Fiber diameter and medullated fibers were poorly related to NIR spectra. When samples were scanned using the transport mechanism (Exp. 3), R2 and SEC were .82 and 1.19% for mohair base and .93 and .98 microm for fiber diameter, respectively. The CV for mohair base and diameter were 1.0 and 1.4%, whereas those for predicted mohair base and diameter were 1.4 and 3.4%, respectively. The increased variation within samples for predicted values represents sampling error and lack of fit between NIRS and the laboratory determined values. When the samples from Exp. 1 and 2 were rescanned with the NIRS transport (Exp. 4), R2 and SEC were .79 and 2.03% for mohair base and .52 and 3.49 microm for fiber diameter. The fiber optic probe would facilitate real-time analysis on the shearing floor, but our data indicate that the spectral limitations so far are too severe. A large sample device such as the transport gave excellent results for predicting mohair base and fiber diameter.     

Divergent selection for total fleece weight in Angora rabbits: Correlated responses in wool characteristics

An experiment was carried out to study direct and indirect responses to selection in the Angora rabbit. There were two selection lines, one selected for high fleece weight and the other for low fleece weight. Data from 669 female rabbits born in 1994–2001 and having produced a total of 2923 harvest of wool were analysed to quantify the correlated responses to selection. By 2001, there had been eight cohorts of selection. The correlated responses analysed included compression, resilience, fleece quality traits (bristle and down length, average fibre diameter, comfort factor, bristle diameter) and secondary to primary follicle ratio (S/P). Genetic correlations were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood techniques. In response to selection, a positive difference of 0.92, 0.21 and 0.55 genetic standard deviation were observed for bristle length, comfort factor and S/P, respectively. No correlated response was observed on down length while negative differences of 1.00, 1.31, 0.38 and 0.50 genetic standard deviations were observed for compression, resilience, bristle diameter and average fibre diameter, respectively. Selection for increasing total fleece weight results in an increase of qualitative component traits of wool production in the French Angora rabbit. The quantitative traits were examined in the first (published) part of the paper.     

羊胎儿期皮肤毛囊发育及调控机制的研究概述

中国绵山羊养殖历史悠久,品种资源丰富,在国民经济中起重要作用。羊毛按纤维类型可分为同质毛和异质毛,同质毛的特点是被毛由同一类型的羊毛纤维组成,其特点是羊毛的纤维直径、长度、卷曲等外表特征基本相同,异质毛的特点是被毛中兼有绒毛、有髓毛、无卷曲和少卷毛等不同类型的羊毛纤维,其化学、物理性能均不相同。毛囊是控制哺乳动物被毛生长的重要器官,是唯一具有周期性发育并可终生再生的器官,控制着被毛发生发育与自然脱落。毛囊依据其形成时间和结构可分为初级毛囊(primary follicles)和次级毛囊(secondary follicles),初级毛囊生长髓质发达的粗毛,次级毛囊产生无髓毛的绒毛。有髓毛较粗长且弯曲少,多用于加工粗纺织品、毛毯、地毯、毡制品;无髓毛直径一般不超40 μm,弯曲多,是毛纺工业的优质原料。毛囊的发育受到不同信号通路和基因的影响,如Wnt信号通路、骨形态发生蛋白质(BMP)信号通路、成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF)信号通路、音猬因子(SHH)信号通路、Notch信号通路等以及角蛋白家族基因、BMPs家族基因、同源异型盒基因(Hox)等。作者对国内外对绵山羊胎儿期皮肤毛囊发育及调控机制进行综述,以期为提高以绵山羊被毛产量及改善被毛品质为主要育种目标的选育提供参考。     

Effects of mimosine and 2,3-dihydroxypyridine on fiber shedding in Angora goats.

The effects of intravenous infusion of mimosine or 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (2,3-DHP) and the effects of oral dose level of mimosine on fiber shedding in Angora goats were determined. In one experiment, 20 mature Angora wethers (36+/-1.9 kg BW) were infused for 2 d with 79, 102, or 135 mg/(kg BW.d) of mimosine, 90 mg/(kg BW.d) of 2,3-DHP, or saline. At 7 d after infusion began, fiber shedding was observed in all goats receiving mimosine but not in any goats infused with 2,3-DHP or saline. Fiber shedding varied among goats; in some goats, fiber shedding was complete and occurred without hand-plucking, whereas in others fiber was retained by nonshed fibers but could be removed by hand-plucking. Nonshed fibers were larger in diameter and more likely to be medullated (P < .05) compared with hand-plucked fibers. Mean plasma mimosine concentration at 24 and 48 h after infusion began was 79 and 98 micromol/L (P < .05), respectively, and greater (P < .05) for mimosine infused at 135 than at 102 mg/(kg BW.d) (89, 68, and 108 micromol/L for mimosine infused at 79, 102, and 135 mg/[kg BW.d], respectively; SE 9.5). In another experiment, oral dosing of eight Angora bucks (23+/-.5 kg BW) with 400 or 600 mg/kg BW of mimosine rapidly increased plasma mimosine concentration, which reached approximately 100 and 160 micromol/L at 5 h after dosing; however, periods of time during which plasma mimosine concentrations were comparable to those in the first experiment were considerably shorter. Oral mimosine dosing did not induce fiber shedding in 7 d. After 31 d, fiber was retained by nonshed fibers but could be removed by hand-plucking or could only be partially removed with difficulty by hand-plucking. There were no toxic effects of mimosine or 2,3-DHP administration; only minor, short-term inhibitions of feed intake by mimosine were noted in some goats. In conclusion, mimosine holds promise as a safe means to remove fiber of Angora goats; further research is necessary to characterize the seasonality of follicle activity and to develop convenient means of mimosine delivery.     

Effect of sex and rearing system on the quality and mineral content of fiber from raeini cashmere goats

The aim of this study was to compare the quality characteristics and mineral content of the fiber from male and female cashmere goats raised under different management systems. Male and female Raeini cashmere goats (<1.5 years of age, n = 48) were selected from flocks raised at a government breeding station or raised commercially under either rural or nomadic conditions. The staple length, cashmere fiber diameter, coefficient of variation for fiber diameter, percentage of cashmere in a fleece, percentage of guard hair in a fleece and cashmere tenacity averaged 4.6 ±0.1 cm, 18.0 ±0.1 m, 20.9 ± 0.4%, 66.1 ± 1.5%, 33.8 ± 1.5% and 1.8 ± 0.2 gf/tex, respectively. The sulfur, copper and zinc content of the cashmere averaged 2.8 ± 0.1%, 0.00065 ± 0.00002% and 0.01276 ± 0.00025%, respectively. Rearing method significantly affected staple length, coefficient of variation of fiber diameter, cashmere tenacity and copper content. Males had a higher coefficient of variation of fiber diameter and cashmere tenacity than females (P < 0.05).     

Wool characteristics in the third generation of Arkharmerino × Ghezel and Arkharmerino × Moghani crossbreed sheep

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the comparative productive performances and effect of some environmental factors on wool characteristics of Arkharmerino × Ghezel (Ar × Gh) and Arkharmerino × Moghani (Ar × Mo) crossbreed sheep. The mid-side fleece samples taken from animals during 2 years (2007–2008) were analyzed. Each sample was measured for average fiber diameter, fiber diameter variability, staple length, proportion of medullated fiber, proportion of kemp, and comfort factor. The comparative values for these fleece characteristics in F₃ generation Ar × Gh were 28.78 ± 0.48 μm, 36.84 ± 1.16%, 11.94 ± 0.35 cm, 7.07 ± 0.93%, 1.02 ± 0.23%, and 68.93%, respectively; while those traits were 29.79 ± 0.43 μm, 41.86 ± 1.16%, 11.96 ± 0.37 cm, 8.13 ± 1.06%, 2.71 ± 0.45%, and 63.33 ± 3.66% for Ar × Mo, respectively. The effects of genotype, sex, birth type, and year of birth were analyzed. Genotype had a significant (P < 0.01) effect on average fiber diameter and proportion of kemp, and Ar × Gh crossbreeds had lower diameter with less proportion of kemp. The two differences in fiber characteristics that were attributable to sex were fiber diameter variability and proportion of medullated fiber, and females had higher measure than males for both traits. Statistical analysis showed that crossbreeding with Arkharmerino generally had positive effects on the fleece favored to be used in the hand woven authentic carpet production.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for wool fiber diameter measures.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations and heritability estimates of side, britch, and core diameters; side and britch CV; side and britch diameter difference; and clean fleece weight were investigated using 385 western white-faced ewes produced by 50 sires and maintained at two locations on a selection study. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance procedures, and effects in the final model included breed of sire-selection line combination, sire within breed-selection line, and location. Heritabilities were estimated by paternal half-sib analysis. Sires within breed-selection line represented a significant source of variation for all traits studied. Location had a significant effect on side diameter, side and britch diameter difference, and clean fleece weight. Age of ewe only affected clean fleece weight. Phenotypic and genetic correlations among side, britch, and core diameter measures were high and positive. Phenotypic correlations ranged from .68 to .75 and genetic correlations ranged from .74 to .89. The genetic correlations between side and britch diameter difference and side diameter or core diameter were small (-.16 and .28, respectively). However, there was a stronger genetic correlation between side and britch diameter difference and britch diameter (.55). Heritability of the difference between side and britch diameter was high (.46 +/- .16) and similar to heritability estimates reported for other wool traits. Results of this study indicate that relatively rapid genetic progress through selection for fiber diameter should be possible. In addition, increased uniformity in fiber diameter should be possible through selection for either side and britch diameter difference or side or britch CV.     

不同地区、不同部位羊驼毛品质性状的研究

本研究旨在了解不同地区、不同部位羊驼毛品质的差异，为羊驼选育及羊驼毛生产提供参考数据。采集新疆野生动物园、新疆阿勒泰、新疆阿克苏、山西、天津地区羊驼颌、颈、肩、侧、股、背、腹部位共636份毛样，进行平均纤维直径、毛丛长度、净毛率、单纤维强力、有髓毛含量、无髓毛含量等性状的测定，分析不同地区及不同部位毛品质性状的差异，并进行最小二乘分析。结果表明，不同地区羊驼毛平均纤维直径、白度、亮度、原毛油脂含量、净毛率、毛丛自然长度、单纤维强力、断裂伸长百分比、有髓毛含量、无髓毛含量均存在极显著差异（P<0.01）；不同取样部位羊驼毛纤维直径、原毛油脂含量、毛丛自然长度、单纤维强力、含杂率存在极显著差异（P<0.01），无髓毛含量和有髓毛含量存在显著差异（P<0.05）。以羊驼毛细度越细毛品质越优为准，结合单纤维强力、毛丛自然长度等性状，羊驼不同部位的毛纤维质量从高到低依次为：背、侧、股、肩、颈、颌及腹部。在育种中可将提高无髓毛含量作为新疆羊驼毛细度的选育目标，将提高净毛率和单纤维强力作为山西、天津羊驼毛育种方向，同时可考虑提高羊驼颈、颌、腹部的无髓毛含量，以提高羊驼整体毛品质水平。     

Study on the Quality Traits of Alpaca Wool in Different Regions and Body Parts

The purpose of this study was to understand the difference in the quality of alpaca wool in different regions and parts,and to provide reference data for alpaca breeding and alpaca wool production.In this study,a total of 636 wool samples of alpaca jaw,neck,shoulder,side,thigh,back and abdomen were collected from Xinjiang Wild Animal Park,Altay,Aksu,Shanxi,and Tianjin regions,and the traits such as mean fiber diameter,length,net wool rate,single fiber strength,medullated wool content and non-medullated wool content were measured.The differences of wool quality traits in different regions and parts were analyzed,and least squares analysis was performed.The results showed that there were extremely significant differences in alpaca mean fiber diameter,whiteness,brightness,fat content,net wool rate,wool length,single fiber strength,breaking elongation,and presence or absence of myelin wool content in different regions (P<0.01).There were extremely significant or significant differences in alpaca mean fiber diameter,raw wool grease,length,single fiber strength,and impurity content (P<0.01),and the content of medullated wool and non-medullated wool (P<0.05) in different sampling locations.According to the principle that the finer the alpaca wool was,the better the alpaca wool quality was,combined with the properties of single fiber strength and the length,the order of the alpaca wool quality of the different parts from high to low was:Back>side>thigh>shoulder>neck>jaw>abdomen.In breeding,the improvement of the non-medullated wool content could be regarded as the breeding goal of Xinjiang alpaca wool fineness,and the improvement of net wool rate and single fiber strength could be taken as the direction of the alpaca wool quality in Shanxi and Tianjin.At the same time,it could be considered to increase the non-medullated wool content of the alpaca's neck,jaw,and abdomen,in order to improve the overall wool quality of alpaca.     

不同细度类型细羊毛纤维直径变异研究

共采集150个中国美利奴羊（新疆型）3个细度类型（18 μm以下、18～20 μm及20 μm以上）羊毛样本，分析了沿毛丛长度方向及毛丛内纤维间直径变异。结果表明，不同细度类型羊毛沿毛丛方向纤维直径有相似的变异规律且与饲草料资源的季节性变化吻合，但细度18 μm以下羊毛纤维直径变异最小（P<0.01）；相反地，毛丛内纤维间直径变异随羊毛细度的降低而增大（P<0.01）。     

两种细度测量仪对羊毛纤维直径测定的对比分析

为了检验国产动物纤维细度自动测量仪奥达2000的稳定性和准确性,分别用进口的OFDA100细度仪和国产动物纤维细度自动测量仪对来自314只细毛羊的毛样进行测定,再对两者测得的数据作配对性t检验。检验结果表明,二者间差异不显著（P>0.05）。因此,国产动物纤维细度自动测量仪奥达2000性能与OFDA100细度仪没有差异,可以代替进口细度仪OFDA100。     

Effect of sex and rearing system on the quality and mineral content of fiber from raeini cashmere goats

The aim of this study was to compare the quality characteristics and mineral content of the fiber from male and female cashmere goats raised under different management systems. Male and female Raeini cashmere goats (<1.5 years of age, n = 48) were selected from flocks raised at a government breeding station or raised commercially under either rural or nomadic conditions. The staple length, cashmere fiber diameter, coefficient of variation for fiber diameter, percentage of cashmere in a fleece, percentage of guard hair in a fleece and cashmere tenacity averaged 4.6 ±0.1 cm, 18.0 ±0.1 μm, 20.9 ± 0.4%, 66.1 ± 1.5%, 33.8 ± 1.5% and 1.8 ± 0.2 gf/tex, respectively. The sulfur, copper and zinc content of the cashmere averaged 2.8 ± 0.1%, 0.00065 ± 0.00002% and 0.01276 ± 0.00025%, respectively. Rearing method significantly affected staple length, coefficient of variation of fiber diameter, cashmere tenacity and copper content. Males had a higher coefficient of variation of fiber diameter and cashmere tenacity than females (P < 0.05).     

Histochemical staining characteristics of normal horse skeletal muscle

The histologic and histochemical staining characteristics of the triceps brachii (long head), extensor carpi radialis, gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles of 8 Thoroughbreds, 2 Quarter Horses, 1 Arabian, 1 Paso Fino, and 1 Shetland Pony are described. Muscle fiber morphology, staining distribution and intensity, amount of IM connective tissue, number of IM blood vessels and IM nerves, calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity (CaATPase), percentage of fibertype population, percentage of relative fibertype area, mean fiber diameter, nonspecific esterase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and acid phosphatase activity were evaluated, using 10 common histochemical and histologic stains. Two fiber types (I, II) and 3 subtypes (IIA, IIB, IIC) were observed, using CaATPase-, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide-tetrazolium reductase-, periodic acid-Schiff hematoxylin-, and nonspecific esterase-stained frozen serial muscle sections. Type I muscle fibers in general had low CaATPase activity, high oxidative capacity, low glycogen capacity, and low esterase activity. Type IIA muscle fibers had high CaATPase activity, intermediate oxidative capacity, high glycogen concentration, and high esterase activity. Type IIB fibers had high CaATPase activity, low oxidative capacity, high glycogen concentration, and a high esterase activity. Type IIC muscle fibers had high CaATPase activity, high oxidative capacity, variable glycogen concentration, and high esterase activity. Type II (IIA and IIB) muscle fibers predominated in the muscles. The percentage of muscle fiber population, mean minimal muscle fiber diameter, and percentage of relative muscle fiber area were determined for each sampled muscle. Type IIA and IIB muscle fibers predominated in the percentage of muscle fiber population and percentage of relative muscle fiber area. Type IIB muscle fibers had the greatest minimal fiber diameter, type IIA muscle fibers had intermediate minimal fiber diameter, and type I muscle fibers had the smallest minimal fiber diameter. The percentage of relative muscle fiber area was less variable (P less than or equal to 0.05) than the percentage of muscle fiber population. Mean muscle fiber diameter did not significantly differ between breeds. Alkaline and acid phosphatase activities were at low levels in all muscles biopsied and were limited to the IM connective tissue fibrocytes, macrophages, and capillaries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Effects of skirting on processing characteristics of Targhee wool.

Ninety mature Targhee ewes were randomly allocated to nine lots. Lots were randomly assigned to three fleece preparation treatments: 1) nonskirted (control); 2) bellies removed, in which bellies and topknots were removed on the shearing floor; and 3) skirted, in which bellies and topknots were removed and remaining fleece was thrown on a table and lightly skirted. Bellies and topknots composed about 6 to 7% of the fleece weight. An additional 6.6% was removed when fleeces were skirted. Top fiber diameters were not affected (P greater than .10) by skirting. Although not significant (P greater than .10), percentage yield, vegetable content, percentage of noilage, top fiber length, and yellowness indexes tended to be most desirable for skirted lots and least desirable for unskirted lots. Lots with bellies removed were intermediate. Removal of bellies reduced vegetable contamination by 8.4%, with an additional reduction of about .5% by further skirting. Skirting reduced the number of fibers less than 25.4 mm (P less than .10) by 42%. Minimal colored fiber contamination of top was observed. One colored fiber per 15 g of top was detected in two lots of the treatment with bellies removed. All other lots contained no colored fibers. All wools evaluated were well below industry limits set for use in high-quality white or pastel fabrics. All skirted lots of wool evaluated in this study had improved processing characteristics for all processing traits evaluated.     

Age-related changes in percentage of fiber types and mean fiber diameters of the ovine quadriceps muscles.

Mean fiber diameters and percentages of each fiber type of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus intermedius muscles from 15 sheep, ranging from 1 day to 5 years of age, were determined. Myosin adenosine triphosphatase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-tetrazolium reductase stained sections were used. The vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris contained 3 fiber types (I, IIA, and IIB). The vastus intermedius was composed almost entirely of type I fibers. From birth to 5 years of age, mean fiber diameters of type I fibers increased from 15.8 to 47.0 micron in the vastus lateralis, 15.6 to 50.7 micron in the vastus medialis, 17.5 to 46.5 micron in the rectus femoris, and 26.7 to 51.8 micron in the vastus intermedius. Means of fiber diameters of type II fibers increased from 16.1 to 44.6 micron in the vastus lateralis, 19.8 to 44.0 micron in the vastus medialis, and 17.0 to 44.5 micron in the rectus femoris. The percentage of type II fibers in the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris decreased from 85% to 90% at birth to approximately 72% at 5 years of age. The vastus intermedius consisted of only type I fibers in sheep 2 years and older.     

西藏阿旺绵羊羊毛品质分析

旨在进一步阐明阿旺绵羊种质资源特征,为制定阿旺绵羊羊毛生产与质量控制标准提供科学依据。采用现场鉴定和实验室检测方法对270份采集自不同年龄、不同性别阿旺绵羊不同部位的羊毛样品品质进行分析研究。现场测定结果表明：阿旺绵羊成年公、母羊的平均羊毛长度分别为90.3、71.0 mm,平均剪毛量分别为1.35、1.00 kg;育成公、母羊平均羊毛长度分别为61.5、58.3 mm,平均剪毛量分别为1.08、0.84 kg;阿旺绵羊油汗颜色为白色或乳白色,油汗含量以1/2、1/3为主。实验室检测结果表明：成年公羊肩、侧、股3个部位毛长度分别为95.40、99.68、115.44 mm,成年母羊肩、侧、股3个部位毛长度分别为65.72、62.39、83.06 mm;育成公羊肩、侧、股3个部位毛长度分别为80.52、86.11、103.63 mm,育成母羊肩、侧、股3个部位毛长度分别为62.95、64.53、78.95 mm;采自3个不同部位的270份羊毛样品的纤维类型平均占比分别为：无髓毛占72.98%,有髓毛占21.31%,两型毛占5.47%;无髓毛平均直径为25.97 μm,直径离散26.79%;有髓毛平均直径为69.59 μm,直径离散23.63%;两型毛平均直径为41.99 μm,直径离散26.65%;粗毛纤维直径范围为24.66-72.15 μm,肩、侧、股部的纤维直径变化无规律。     

光学纤维直径分析仪测定兔毛纤维细度可行性研究

采用光学纤维直径分析仪和显微投影仪分别测定54份兔毛样品的纤维细度。结果显示：两种测定方法纤维平均细度分别14．0±4．1μm和13．7±2．5μm（t〈0．05）,误差2．14％;细度离散系数分别为17．5±1．9％和35．3±6．4％（t〈0．01）。测定结果两者间呈强相关,相关系数为0．617（P〈0．01）。表明采用光学纤维直径分析仪测定兔毛纤维细度是可行的,但必须确立统一的取样标准。     

高山美利奴羊重要经济性状遗传参数估计

本研究旨在估计高山美利奴羊重要经济性状的遗传参数,为优化高山美利奴羊选育方案、建设品种完整结构、进行遗传评估及实施育种值选种提供理论技术支撑。采用甘肃省绵羊繁育技术推广站2003—2018年高山美利奴羊核心群数据资料,基于ASReml运用单性状个体动物模型和多性状个体动物模型估计高山美利奴羊体重、产羔数、产毛量、净毛量、净毛率、羊毛纤维直径、羊毛纤维直径变异系数、毛丛长度等重要经济性状的遗传参数。结果表明:高山美利奴羊产羔数为低等遗传力,其他所有性状均为中高等遗传力;大部分经济性状间呈正遗传相关,体重、产毛量、羊毛纤维直径与净毛率间呈负遗传相关,羊毛纤维直径变异系数与体重、产毛量、纤维直径呈负遗传相关。     

安哥拉山羊与本地山羊杂交试验

利用安哥拉山羊与当地土种山羊进行杂交改良，产绒量比本地羊增加两倍以上，有髓毛减少，绒毛增多。杂种羊具有耐粗饲、抗病力强，生长发育相对快等杂种优势。试验组比对照组成活率提高4．16个百分点，繁活率提高4．44个百分点。     

Morphologic and morphometric study of the facial nerve in clinically normal adult dogs.

A morphologic and morphometric study was carried out on the facial nerve: to determine normal histologic data in myelinated fibers of clinically normal young adult dogs; to establish reference values for mean fiber diameter, and to delineate the relative diameter frequency distribution curve. Few degenerative changes were observed in single teased-nerve fibers and semithin cross-sectional nerve preparations. Statistical difference was not observed between left and right facial nerves. The distribution of fiber diameters in the facial nerve was unimodal. Mean (+/- SD) fiber diameter of the facial nerve was 3.92 +/- 1.18 microns. Approximately 89% of fibers in the facial nerve had diameter between 3 and 6 microns. Fiber diameter ranged from 2 to 12 microns; however, less than 1% of fibers had diameter greater than 8 microns.