M. Salehi,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2008)
Abstract
To study the effect of age on camel hair characteristics and their phenotypic correlations in Semnan province, 95 dromedary female camels (aged 1-20) were selected. Hair samples were taken from right flank in mid spring. Least square means were analyzed at different ages, and also 4 age groups by one-way and general liner model (GLM) using SAS software package. Analysis of variance indicated a significant effect of age group on staple length, fiber diameter, coefficient of variability of fiber diameter, interrupted and continuous medulla and non-medullated fibers in inner coat and yield percentage (P ≤ 0/05). The young camels had more inner coat and non-medullated fibers than other ages. The diameter least square means of 1-2 age group ( 18.54±1.47 ) was significantly different (P<0.005) from 3-6, 7-10 and >11 age groups (22.59±0.67, 23.19±0.57 and 24.5±0.61 , respectively). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in shoulder, flank and total staple lengths between 1-2 and other camel age groups (P<0.0001). The results indicated that fractionation of camel hair according to age grouping (young camel separated from adult) can improve supply to market and manufacture processing.
