Prevalence of complex vertebral malformation carriers among Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls.
An increasing number of Holstein calf births exhibiting vertebral deformations has been detected in Denmark since 1999 by a program monitoring the incidence of genetic diseases. Pedigree analysis demonstrated that the affected calves originated from a family afflicted by an autosomally recessively inherited complex vertebral malformation (CVM) syndrome. To determine the actual carrier frequency of the CVM-determining mutation in a population of Polish Holstein-Friesian (=Polish Black-and-White) cattle, we examined 202 proven bulls (active in 2001-2005) used by 4 domestic artificial insemination companies and 403 unproven bulls (under evaluation for breeding value). Out of the 605 bulls examined, 150 T/G heterozygotes were diagnosed, including 118 that were sons of known CVM carriers. Identification of a gene polymorphism in a bovine solute carrier family 35 member 3, termed SLC35A3, was conducted with the use of a new PCR-SSCP method (polymerase chain reaction - single stranded conformation polymorphism), which - due to its ease of use and high reliability - can be applied in widespread screening programs aimed at reducing the incidence of the CVM defect.
University of Warmia and Mazury, Department of Animal Genetics, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland.
Anna
A
Ruść
Stanisław
S
Kamiński
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000235:genetics; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; D015995:Prevalence; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities*