Evaluation and grading of wool based on sex and age can help to improve economic value of wool. This study was conducted to investigate the wool production and fleece characteristics of Arabi sheep in Khuzestan province The right mid-side wool samples were taken from 90 Arabi sheep (1 -4 years; 16 male and 74 female) by hand shearing. The staple length of shoulder, flank and rump were 13.18 ± 0.27, 13.31 ± 0.22 and 14.27 ± 0.25 cm, respectively. The greasy fleece weight, wool wax, vegetable matter, yield percentage, fiber diameter and its coefficient variation measures were 1.72 ± 0.06 Kg; 2.77% ± 0.12%; 0.54% ± 0.07%; 73.36% ± 0.68%; 30 ± 0.41 μm; 30.23% ± 0.3% respectively. Correspondingly, the medulated fibers, true wool fiber and Kemp fibers were 21.6% ± 1.9%, 76.1% ± 2.04% and 2.5% ± 0.57% respectively. Age and sex had a significant influence on staple lengths. Fleece weight (P < 0.01) and wool wax were (P < 0.05) affected by sex. There was no significant interaction between age and sex groups for fiber characteristics, but it was important for staple between body location (P < 0.05). There were a low considerable kemp and CV of wool diameter percentage on Arabi sheep in comparison with the other Iranian native sheep. The wide variation in fleece weight (0.8 -3.9 kg); mean staple lengths (8.8 -19.2 cm); medulated and kemp (0 -84.04 and 0% -30.22%); fiber diameter (24.9 -37.43 μm) suggest potential for improvement of economical traits.

Twenty mid side wool samples of crossbred sheep were collected and their characteristics were determined. Data analyzed by SAS software and Duncan’s multiple range tests was used for comparison of mean wool characteristics. Average fleece weight, yield, wool diameter, Fine fiber and staple length were: 431.59 ± 38.95 gr, 65.14%, 14.24 ± 0.67 μm, 48.67 ± 5.59, and 43.65 ± 4.15 mm respectively. Mean fleece weight was significantly affected (p < 0.05) by sex (female 259 gr and male 506.55) and age (248.25, 458.38 and 637.75 gr for 1, 2 and 3 yr old respectively). Mean wool diameter was significantly affected by sex (male 12.78 ± 0.49, female 15.33 ± 0.85 μm) and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between F₁ and F₂ generation 11.84 ± 0.58, 16.27 ± 0.72 μm respectively. There were effective differences among ages (12.55 ± 0.74, 14.47 ± 0.58 and 13.11 ± 0.64 μm for 1, 2 and 3 yr old respectively). Wool diameter of younger animals, males and F₁ was so fine (12.55, 12.87 and 11.84 μm respectively). Staple length of F₂ crosses was significantly longer than F₁ crosses (p < 0.05). However wool diameter of F₁ was significantly finer than F₂, but length and down fiber percentage was less than second generation. As wild sheep shed his fiber in winter, the first filial crosses also shed their fibers from the end of winter to early spring. Shedding was seldom observed in F₂ generations. It seems likely that wool from crossbred sheep could be used for those applications for which cashmere is suitable. This study indicates that, such crossbred sheep have a superfine wool and could be used in pure or blend for textile industry