Page 111 - British Blue Yearbook 2023

TESTING FOR GENETIC DEFECTS
4- DW: Severe growth retardation (dwarfism) and decreased resistance to infections
• Not lethal per se but 40% died before 1 year from recurrent infections
• The remaining 60% are severely growth retarded and culled for health related reasons: economic losses
• Mutation identified, direct test proposed
5- HAM: Gingival hamartoma and osteopetrosis
• Lethal around birth, some can survive a few weeks
• Complications during parturition, cows often culled
• Vascular mass (1 to 15 cm) in the mouth, abnormal
skull shape
• Blindness
• No bone marrow cavity in the long bones (osteopetrosis)
• Mutation identified, direct test proposed
6- PG: Prolonged Gestation
• Parturition fails to occur, upon medical induction, calves are born alive but die within hours
• Gestation can last up to 14 months
• Mutation localised, indirect test proposed
7- AP: Arthrogryposis and cleft Palate
• Lethal before birth
• Arthrogrypose, cleft palate, blindness, umbilical
hernia
• Complications during parturition, cows often culled • Mutation localised, indirect test proposed
NOTE 1 - Protruding Tongue
Research is still being undertaken on this condition and, as yet, it is not confirmed as a defect caused by genetics, there may be other health issues that lead to these symptoms
For up to date information and to view a list of tested animals visit: -
http://www.britishbluecattle.org/health/genetic_defects.html
Any queries contact the Society office www.britishbluecattle.org info@britishbluecattle.org Tel: 01768 870522
www.britishbluecattle.org
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