Effect of Fasted Live-Weight Gain during the Cashmere Non-Growing Period on Cashmere Production Performance and Secondary Hair Follicle Activity of Cashmere Goats

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Cashmere fiber is characterized by cyclical and seasonal growth, and the growth cycle is divided into a non-growing period (from late spring to late summer) and a growing period (from early autumn to late winter). This study evaluated the effect of fasted live-weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period on cashmere production performance and secondary hair follicle activity. Results of a Pearson correlation analysis showed that fasted live-weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period had a positive correlation with cashmere yield, cashmere staple length, and population of active secondary hair follicles. Cashmere goats with a fasted live-weight gain of 5.0–10.0 kg had a higher cashmere yield, cashmere staple length, and population of active secondary hair follicles than those with a fasted live-weight gain of 0–5.0 kg. Since fasted live-weight gain reflects the nutritional level to a certain extent, this study suggests that nutritional manipulations such as supplementary feeding during cashmere non-growing periods can increase cashmere production performance. ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fasted live-weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period on cashmere production performance and secondary hair follicle activity, to provide a theoretical basis for appropriate supplementary feeding of cashmere goats. Fifty Inner Mongolian cashmere goats aged 2–4 years old were randomly selected and weighed in May and September 2019, respectively. Based on fasted live-weight gain between the two weights, the experimental ewe goats were divided into two groups: 0–5.0 kg group (n = 30) and 5.0–10.0 kg group (n = 20). Skin samples and cashmere samples were collected. Results of a Pearson correlation analysis showed that fasted live-weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period had a moderate and strong positive correlation with cashmere yield (p = 0.021) and cashmere staple length (p = 0.002), respectively, but did not correlate with cashmere diameter (p = 0.254). Compared with cashmere goats with a fasted live-weight gain of 0–5.0 kg, cashmere goats with a fasted live-weight gain of 5.0–10.0 kg had a 17.10% increase in cashmere yield (p = 0.037) and an 8.09% increase in cashmere staple length (p = 0.045), but had no significant difference in cashmere diameter (p = 0.324). Results of a Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a strong positive correlation between fasted live-weight gain and the population of active secondary hair follicles in the skin of cashmere goats (p < 0.01). Compared with cashmere goats with a fasted live-weight gain of 0–5.0 kg, cashmere goats with a fasted live-weight gain of 5.0–10.0 kg had an increase in the population of active secondary hair follicles (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the fasted live-weight gain during the cashmere non-growing period had a significant effect on secondary hair follicle activity and cashmere production performance in cashmere goats. Since fasted live-weight gain reflects nutritional level to a certain extent, this study suggests that nutritional manipulations such as supplementary feeding during cashmere non-growing periods can increase cashmere production performance. However, specific nutritional manipulations during the cashmere non-growing period need further research to increase cashmere production performance.