title: Complex vertebral malformation in a stillborn Holstein calf in Japan.
abstract: A female stillborn Holstein calf with shortened cervical and thoracic regions, protrusion of the tongue, and bilateral symmetric flexural contraction of the anterior limbs was delivered on gestation day 281. Multiple hemivertebrae, fused and misshaped vertebrae, synostosis and scoliosis of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebral column were found in the affected calf by radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) analysis. Ten pairs of ribs were present and the sternum consisted of 9 sternebrae. Multiple morphologic abnormalities including fusion, malformation, and displacement, were found in the ribs and sternum. Cardiac anomalies, including atrial septal defect and hypertrophy of right ventricle, were observed. DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis demonstrated that amplified product from the liver DNA of the affected calf had identical pattern to that associated with complex vertebral malformation (CVM) of Holstein calves and that her dam was a heterozygous carrier of CVM. The affected calf was diagnosed as having CVM based on the DNA-PCR results and the characteristic findings, and was recorded as a first documentation of CVM confirmed in a Holstein calf in Japan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagahata
authors.forename: Hiromichi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oota
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nitanai
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oikawa
authors.forename: Hidetoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakade
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kurosawa
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogawa
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000235:genetics*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005552:Forelimb / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007564:Japan; D010375:Pedigree; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013909:Thorax / Q000002:abnormalities; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed