author(s)
ZI Bhat, NA Ganai, MS Mir, MS Kawoosa, U Amin, AH Sofi, S Shanaz and FD Sheikh

abstract
The experiment was conducted to study the changes in follicle diameter of pashmina fibre during winter months of Ladakh. Skin biopsies were taken from six Changthangi goats at monthly interval from November 2017 to February 2018. Routine histology followed by H&E staining revealed significant (p<0.05) variation in the pashmina follicle (PF) diameter during winter months (range = 26.580 to 103.278 µ). Average PF diameter during winters was found to be 60.474 ± 14.119 µ lower than other cashmere goats and thus explains the fine quality of pashmina produced by Changthangi goat. The PF diameter was significantly larger in November (64.957 ± 15.838 µ, p<0.05) and showed a decreasing trend in succeeding months. The study indicates that PF starts its growth phase before winters. PF actually regressed after November arguably to conserve energy otherwise needed for pashmina growth during the food scarcity period. We recommend studying the annual cycle of PF covering whole year to identify time points corresponding to the different stages of growth (Anagen), regression (catagen) and quisence (telogen) to better qualify the animal for hair cycle research.