Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing lambskin traits: A review

Sheep provide both meat and valuable non-meat products, including lambskin. Global production of raw sheep skin and lambskins increased from 1.78 million t in 2014 to 2.19 million t in 2023 (23% increase), reflecting growing industrial demand. This review summarizes factors influencing lambskin traits. Non-genetic factors influencing lambskin traits include nutrition, age and lambing seasons. Wool curvature is strongly associated with lambskin traits. Heritability estimates for most lambskin traits are moderate to high (h² = 0.28-0.82). BMP7, Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β signaling pathways play critical roles in determining lambskin traits. Genes, including KRT25, KRT71 and BMP7, play key roles in lambskin. Other genes with minor effects were also reported regarding the polygenic nature of lambskin-related traits. Understanding the determining factors offers new opportunities to develop efficient breeding programs, enhance market value, and promote sustainable production. In this review, we highlight the need for targeted research, incorporating advanced genomic and epigenomic technologies such as whole-genome sequencing, genome-wide association studies, DNA methylation mapping and ncRNA sequencing, to fill knowledge gaps and facilitate the implementation of a precise breeding program for superior lambskin quality.