China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (5): 2177-2186.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.05.022

• Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Classification Study of Ovine Horn Type

SHAN Mingzhu1,2, ZHOU Lisheng1, NAOMING Gaowa3, ZHANG Xiaoxu2, XU Yan4, CHU Mingxing2, PAN Zhangyuan2,4   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China;
    2. State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;
    3. Otog Front Banner Animal Husbandry Development Center, Ordos 016200, China;
    4. College of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Linyi University, Linyi 276005, China
  • Received:2024-08-13 Online:2025-05-05 Published:2025-04-27

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Abstract: 【Objective】 Systematic classification of ovine horn types were carried out to address the deficiencies in current statistical data and literature,thereby offering a scientific reference for the enhancement of livestock breeds and the efficient use of resources.【Method】 Three distinct populations of sheep,including 286 Small-tailed Han sheep, 299 Dorper×Small-tailed Han sheep crossbreed from Linyi,Shandong,and 195 Tibetan sheep from Dangxiong,Tibet were selected for observation and measurement of their horn types.【Result】 The ovine horn phenotype was not confined to horned and polled,but instead exhibit complex and varied characteristics.In this study,a systematic observation and analysis of sheep horn types were conducted,confirming the known types of sickle horn,scurred horn,and small horn,identified and designated the following horn types:Polled,ginger horn,a large and small horn, spiral and horizontal outward extension horn (SHOE horn), spiral and horizontal inward extension horn (SHIE horn),sickle and spiral horn,and inside buckle horn.Among the populations examined,the Small-tailed Han Sheep had the most horn type classifications,with rams having more types than ewes.The horn types of rams were divided into eight distinct types,predominantly featuring SHOE horn and sickle horn,which accounted for 35% and 31%,respectively;The horn types of ewes were categorized into five horn types,with sickle horn and polled being the most common,representing 50% and 35% of the types,respectively.The Dorper×Small-tailed Han sheep crossbreed had a higher proportion of polled sheep compared to the Small-tailed Han sheep.The horn types of rams in this crossbreed were categorized into seven horn types,with sickle horn and SHIE horn as the primary types,each constituting 40% and 35% of the total,respectively;The horn types of ewes were divided into five horn types,with the polled being the most prevalent,comprising 76% of the observed types.The horn types of Tibetan sheep rams were divided into five types,the horn types of ewes were divided into four types,SHOE horn emerged as the most common type among both male and female Tibetan sheep,accounting for 78% and 74% of the respective horn types.【Conclusion】 Sheep horn types were classified based on criteria of horn length,morphology,and the direction of the horn tip,identifying a total of 10 different horn types.The Small-tailed Han sheep population primarily displayed the SHOE horn and sickle horn.Among the Dorper×Small-tailed Han sheep crossbreeds,the rams mainly exhibited the sickle horn and SHIE horn,with the ewes predominantly being polled.This study provided an important theoretical basis for studying the genetic mechanism of horns and served as a reference resource for subsequent molecular breeding.

Key words: sheep; horn type; classification; measurement; influencing factors

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