影响绵羊羊毛性状的主效基因和QTL

在绵羊中已经发现了许多影响重要经济性状的主效基因，其中包括影响色素沉着、羊毛质量和角蛋白等的主效基因，而角蛋白对羊毛纤维的形态特征有着重要影响 。在羊毛质量和产量性状上，基因图谱研究已经发现了与其变异相联系的染色体区域。现在面临的主要挑战就是建立一种有价值的分子技术方法来提供绵羊的遗传进展。

Major genes and QTL influencing wool traits

Genes with Mendelian inheritance have been identified for many important traits in wool sheep. Of particular importance are genes influencing pigmentation, wool quality and the keratin proteins, the latter of which are important for the morphology of the wool fibre. Gene mapping studies have identified some chromosomal regions associated with variation in wool quality and production traits. The challenge now is to build on this knowledge base in a cost-effective way to deliver molecular tools that facilitate enhanced genetic improvement programs for wool sheep.