The bent-leg syndrome in sheep. II. Association with genetic markers.
Comprehensive blood typing (17 factors) and electrophoretic protein markers (haemoglobins, transferrins and albumins) were determined on S.A. Mutton Merino sheep (n = 275). The frequencies of these genetic markers were compared between ram lambs with normal and ram lambs with bent-legs and in a second trial between non-affected ewes and their lambs and ewes and lambs which were considered to be carriers of genetic factors resulting in the bent-leg syndrome. The presence of blood factors 2, 3 and 13 and the absence of factors 8, 10 and 17 is possibly linked to the bent-leg syndrome. Although the frequencies of TFA and TFD alleles were higher in the suspected carrier animals than non-affected animals, no definite linkage to the bent-leg syndrome was found. Haemoglobin and albumin type showed no correlation with the bent-let syndrome.
Van Niekerk
F E
FE
Elsenburg Agricultural Centre, Republic of South Africa.
Van Niekerk
C H
CH
Reid
G
G
Coetzee
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D001788:Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / Q000662:veterinary; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006579:Heterozygote; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D013577:Syndrome
D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D005819:Genetic Markers