Relevance. Cognition of the processes of development of the skin and wool, as well as the factors affecting them in ontogenesis, the formation of specific differences in individual breeds and individuals of sheep at different age periods, taking into account external conditions, is of great importance for sheep breeding, as well as for wool processing, leather and fur industry [1].

The development of wool in the postembryonic period is usually studied without taking into account the properties and structure of the skin. Currently, these issues are more relevant than ever, since new breeds, factory types and lines of sheep are being created, the structure of the fl eece is changing, which, in turn, leads to changes in the histostructure of the skin tissue.

Wool is one of the main types of sheep products. The wool quality and quantity depend on the nature of the skin. That is why skin and wool should be considered in mutual connection.

Any type of productivity depends on a wide range of morphological and functional characteristics of the organism and serves as a kind of summary expression of this complex. In different environmental conditions, some components of this complex, individual anatomical and physiological characteristics of the organism have different significance for the development of a sectioned economic trait [3, 6].

Based on these provisions, we studied changes in the structure of the skin and the quality of wool of sheep of the Artlukh Merino breed in the age aspect.

The purpose of the research was to conduct a microstructural assessment of the skin and wool cover of sheep of the Artlukh Merino breed in age dynamics.

Materials and Methods. To study the basic properties of wool and the histostructure of the skin, samples were taken from the animals on the right side, in the topographic area – a barrel.

Studies of the main properties of wool were carried out according to the process regulations [4, 8].

The biopsied pieces of skin were fixed in 10 % and then in 5 % formalin solutions. After gelatin filling, objects were cut on a freezing microtome. Vertical and horizontal sections of the skin were painted with hematoxylin-eosin and sudan (fat staining). The study of the skin was carried out according to the recommended practices [2].