Untangling the Genes Behind Cashmere Softness

Ever wondered what makes cashmere so soft? Meet the Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG), known for its luxurious, long fibers. While LCG cashmere is already quite soft at an average of 16 microns, scientists are on a mission to make it even softer. They're diving into the world of DNA, trying to pinpoint which genes are in charge of cashmere fineness. Imagine this: they've found some specific gene variants, or genotypes, that seem to be the bosses of cashmere softness. In bucks (male goats), the AA genotype of the KRT35 gene and the CT genotype of the TCHHL1 gene are the big shots. In does (female goats), it's the CC genotype of the TCHHL1 gene that calls the shots. These genes work together in a specific combination, like a secret code for soft cashmere. Interestingly, the softness of cashmere isn't just about these genes. It's also about how much cashmere the goats produce and how much of it is usable. There's a math equation for this: CF = 0. 001SQ - 0. 71CY + 20. 784 for bucks and CF = 0. 001SQ - 0. 767CY + 22. 009 for does. It's like a softness formula! By understanding these genes and their relationships, scientists can help breeders pick goats that will produce the softest cashmere. So, the next time you snuggle up in a cashmere sweater, remember: it's all about the genes!