Genetic Abnormalities and their affects in Beef

Cattle
By: Ashlee Arnold
Problems Course

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Throughout the years beef cattle producers have seen a lot of different
abnormalities in the industry as well as in certain breed types. These said abnormalities
are acquired from mutations that occur in the animals DNA. Mutations can be caused
by different factors including, but not limited to, the environment, stress factors, as well
as mutations that can be passed from the parent to the offspring. Genetic defects occur
due to random mutations in the genome (Spangler, pg 1). Mutations that are caused in
the genotype (within the genetic makeup) do not always show phenotypically in the
individual (physical appearance). Many mutations can be recessive and not displayed
in the animals itself until future generations contract two of these recessive genes and
cause that particular deformity to become evident. In some instances a mutation or
deformity can be a dominant attribute that other genes cannot cover it up. Mutation in
beef cattle can also be dependent on the animals breed or gender. Crossbred cattle
are crossing of those animals of two or more breeds, and in this instance of breed
based genetic mutations, if one of the cross breeds are one that can acquire a certain
mutation they are still at risk due to the genetic information their genome contains from
that certain breed.
Throughout the paper it will break down specific genetic mutations and discuss
the different scientific names, common names, causes, if there is a breed or gender
correlation, physical deformities, and if there is a treatment or course of action to
reverse or heal the problem.
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The first genetic deformity is Alpha (a)-Mannosidosis. This deformity is seen in
Belted Galloway, Murray Grey, and Angus breeds. This defect is so undesirable in
order to register an animal within the breed registry both the sire and dam must have
been test and proof of paper work turned in. The effects of this deformity are a lethal
nervous disorder. These animals fail to reach a full potential of coordination as well as
have an aggression issue when disturbed and head tremors. Many of these animals
will die before reaching sexual maturity. There is genetic testing for this particular
disease that can allow breeders to test pedigrees on the sire and dam side to determine
if a chance of offspring receiving this deformity.
The Beta (B) - Mannosidosis is another nerve disorder that there is a deficiency
of beta-mannosidase in the body. Cattle with this disorder have shown to have tremors
and hide bound skin. This defect is seen in Salers, a European breed of cattle. There
is a DNA test available to detect the gene that causes these issues, but again this type
of defect is lethal and can cause lots of problems.
The next genetic deformity is Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congentia (AM) or more
commonly known as curly calf in the Angus breed and cross breed cattle. This is a
recessive gene deformity. This means that both sire and dam both have to have the
recessive gene in order for this genetic defect to show through. Calves are born with
twisted and bent spines, small and thinned muscled, and the legs are rigid and hyper-
extended. Curly calf is a lethal deformity and calves are generally born dead. There is
a test in which this disease can be traced through.
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The next genetic deformity is Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA) aka fawn calf
syndrome. This is found in Angus and Angus crossbred cattle. This is a non lethal
deformity that hinders the animal in its ability to live a normal life. Animals are born
normal but have reduced elasticity of the connective muscle tissue in the hind quarters
of the animal. There is no ability for that calf to stretch the muscle to pull that rear end
up so spend its whole life hunched which doesnt allow for much growth. There are test
for this disease to keep from breeding animals that will causes these issues.
Another deformity is Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH). This is another Angus or
Angus crossbred genetic defect. Most calves are aborted during early gestation but
when they are carried to near term, predominately born premature, only weigh around
twenty-five to thirty pounds. Once born it is easy to see the enlargement of the cranial
cavity, normally volleyball to basketball in size, and fluid filled. This is a lethal deformity
because when animals have been examined postmortem there are no traces of brain
tissue or a spinal cavity. There is a genetic test to determine the likelihood of this
deformity showing up in a mating.
The deformity of Hypotrichosis or also known as hairless calf is a genetic
condition where the animal can have no hair what so ever on its body, or certain areas
with skin lesions that are hairless. There are many different variation of this defect and
may also vary depending on the breed of cattle it is in. There is a genetic test to
determine the percentage of producing a hairless calf, and may breed associations
require genetic testing to register the animal within the breed. There is no current ability
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to treat or cure, but the more information and testing is done is the only way to someday
find one.
Idiopathic Epilepsy is a genetic deformity in Hereford cattle. It is a non lethal
deformity but can and will cause issues for effected cattle. One gene in specific controls
this type of disorder like many other genes control different other kinds of epilepsy. The
onset of the calves first seizure may be onset earlier at birth or could be in later months
to come. A number of things can cause the onset of these seizures the first time and
times thereafter. To name a few, things like the temperature, physical exertion, or
stressful handling can play a big role in these animals having such effects. Once going
into a seizure typically these animals lie on their side with rigid extended legs and
convulse, tremor, for minuets at a time up to hours. There is testing in order to
determine the genetic outlook of these animals and their chances of obtaining said
genetic deformity.
Osteropertrosis (OS) or also known as marble bone among producers is another
Angus and Angus crossbred cattle defect. This is another lethal genetic deformity that
has hit this breed of cattle. The calves are born with short lower jaws, brittle bones that
can be broken easily and impacted molars. These calves are normally born premature
and if they are born alive normally die within the first twenty-four hours of birth. There is
absolutely no bone definition in these animals which is a main reason why they cannot
sustain their lives. There is a test for the cattle to ensure the probability of getting a calf
with marble bone within in one mating.
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Another genetic deformity is Protoporphyria and it is seen in the Limousine breed
of cattle. This is a rare autosomal recessive disease that changes the animals physical
appearance and causes many issues for the animal throughout their lifetime. This is
caused by a deficiency of ferrochelatase which is a catalyst in the final step of the heme
biosynthetic pathway. Normal signs of this disorder are skin disorders as well as a
reddish brown coloring of teeth, bone, and urine that will continue with the animal its
entire life. Another issue the animal will face is their skins sensitivity to the sunlight.
The animal can recessive scabs and open sores when exposed for long periods of time
as well as have complications with their spleen and livers. Sometimes this defect can
even cause a type of seizure. The only treatment that can be found or thought of is
limiting exposure to sunlight. This can be genetically tested for to determine the mating
pairs ability to produce offspring with this genetic abnormality.
Pulmonary Hypoplasia and Anasarca (PHA) is primarily seen in the Maine-Anjou
and Shorthorn breeds. This is a recessive gene genetic defect that causes the calf to
be mutated and unable to survive; therefore, it is lethal. Calves are born with
underdeveloped lungs and fluid retention throughout the entire body. The appearance
of the animal is extremely bloated and the animal cannot function properly due to the
excess of fluids. There is genetic testing for this abnormality to ensure the cross mating
does not create such a calf.
Another genetic abnormality is Tibial Hemimelia (TH) this particular genetic
deformity is seen primarily in Shorthorn and Maine-Anjou breeds. This is another lethal
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deformity that makes living impossible for those calves affected with this defect. Normal
characteristics of this deformity are twisted rear back legs, fused joints, large abdominal
hernias, and skull deformities. Some calves can make it to birth and born alive but
because of the severity of these animals condition they will have to be disposed of
because of their inability to function at all. There is a test to determine the likelihood of
this happening, but again it is all based off the pedigree of the sire and dam.
Muscular Hypertrophy or double muscling is one of the neater genetic deformities
that are out there. This is a non lethal defect that changes the genotype and phenotypic
look of the animal without causing any issue or problem for that animals lifetime. What
this genetic defect does is it deletes the myostatin gene in the animals genome which
then allows for the double stacking of the muscle tissue. There have been breeds
created out of these deformities for example the Belgian Blue. These animals are used
for show and pets, but are not allowed in the slaughter industry because there is a
genetic mistake in their genome.
Dwarfism is another mutation that can happen in any breed but there are certain
forms of this deformity that can be specific, for example the Angus Mutation, DW1. This
particular strain of the defect it can cause the animals to have short heads, long heads,
or even a mix between which makes the head look compacted. There is a molecular
marker that can determine if the mated pair can or would produce a dwarf offspring.
There are also molecular markers in Japanese Brown and Dexter cattle that can
determine dwarfism in those particular breeds as well.
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Freemartin is another genetic deformity that is caused more because of
hormonal influence, but because genes code for the hormones produced it does have a
little to do with the genome of the animal. This particular type of one is that when
fraternal twins are in the uterus of the dam the testosterone being produced by the male
embryo over powers that of the female embryo which messes up the reproductive
development. Once the animals are born, is most cases, the female is completely
sterile as well as sometimes the female calf has different physical location of outside
reproductive organs or no vulva at all. The only test to help with this particular case is
the advancement in ultra sounding. This in the cattle industry has made it easier to
determine if there are twins being carried and the sex of both calves and gives the
producer the decision to abort or keep the pregnancy going.
The final one is Dark Cutter. This specific one is more of an environmental
cause that leads to genes and cells using glycogen which makes the product of that
animal darker than it should be which makes it no good for consumer consumption.
The only way to keep this from happening and is to keep a good environment for these
animals especially those that will be slaughtered in the next coming months.
This is just fifteen of many different genetic deformities that have are causing
issues for producers. Many more are breed specific where others can affect the whole
industry. The environment, stress factors, as well as the genetics plays a big role in
how these animals will function and be produced throughout many generations. The
first place to start before any breeding is done is to look at those animals pedigrees and
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see what has been produced or crossed to help determine the probability of any type of
genetic abnormality/defect that could possibly become an issue.