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A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pregnancy, lactation, age and sex on wool quality and quantity in Varamini sheep. In the first trial
64 pregnant and lactating ewes and 21 dry and non lactating ewes were used in an unequal complete randomized design. Wool samples were taken from right midside of each ewe, during mating, lambing and two mounths post partum. In the second trial of the experimental design the effects of sex and age were studied, using 28 female and 28 male sheep (1-4 years old) in a completely randomized block design with factorial arrangement. The results indicated that
pregnancy and lactation had a significant effect (P<0.01) on wool fibre growth. The amount of wool produced by pregnant and lactating ewes were lower than in non productive ones by 29 and 23.7 percent respectively. The effects of sex and age on wool growth were also significant (P<0.01). Pregnancy, lactation, sex and age significantly affected (P<0.05) wool fibre diameter and staple length.