Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXIV, Issue 2
Written by Ion BUZU
The aim of the scientific research was to highlight the origin, biological particularities and spread in the world of Karakul race sheep for better knowledge and prediction of the impact of using this race as an breeding ameliorating raceand improve the morpho-productive qualities of local races. The research was conducted based on the synthesis analysis of a number of specialized bibliographic sources, published in different periods of spread and research of the Karakul sheep race in the world. The results of the research showed that the opinions of different researchers on the origin and period of formation of the Karakul sheep race, so far, are divergent. Some researchers believe that the Karakul sheep race has ancient origins (1300 years to en) and formed in the regions of ancient Mesopotamia, others mention that it has medieval origins and was brought to Central Asia by Arabs in the VIII century, and the third group of researchers report that the true Karakul race originated in the modern period (XVI-XVIII centuries) and was formed in Central Asia by the selection of local pseudo-Karakul sheep in the direction of improving the furskin qualities of newborn lambs. The main biological particularities of Karakul sheep is that the hairy sheath of newborn lambs is wound in loops of different types (wave, bob, ridge, etc.) and shapes (tubular, rib, flattened), with various varieties of curling (jacket , costal, flat, Kaukasian, moire), consisting of elastic, silky and glossy fibers, with a wide range of colors (black, greyish, gray, brown, pink, white), shades (dark, medium, light) and coloration (blue, gold, silver, pearl, bronze, platinum, diamond, amber, steel). Due to these specific biological particularities and the demands of the excessively large market for Karakul furskins in the late 19th - early 20th century, this race was spread all over the world, being exploited either for scientific research and pure race breeding, or at the crossbreeding with some local races to improve the furskin qualities of newborn lambs and the production of commercial furskins. The Karakul sheep race has low skills in milk and meat production (low body mass), being extremely sensitive to helminth infections in conditions of high air humidity, rain and wet pastures. Sheep of this race are widespread in warm arid countries, regions and areas with low humidity, large plains, semi-deserts, poor vegetation, where they are maintained throughout the year in natural grazing conditions, without capital investment, with minimal costs. The knowledge of these biological and environmental particularities, allows the application of cautious and reasonable strategies of selection and spread of this race as an ameliorating race to the development and improvement of the morpho-productive qualities of some local races.
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