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Schistosoma Reflexum in Holstein Cattle

Schistosoma reflexum (SR) is a congenital syndrome in cattle characterized by abdominal fissures and spinal/limb deformities. This study analyzed 35 cases of SR in Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic. Pedigree analysis found that 21 cases were genetically related, sharing common ancestors, and 24 cases occurred within two breeding lines. The occurrence of sires related to multiple SR cases suggests a genetic basis. Based on patterns of occurrence in males and females, the syndrome appears to follow an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. A breeding trial is recommended to confirm genetic inheritance and establish an SR case collection for molecular investigation.

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Zulfiqar Hussan Kuthu
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11 views2 pages

Schistosoma Reflexum in Holstein Cattle

Schistosoma reflexum (SR) is a congenital syndrome in cattle characterized by abdominal fissures and spinal/limb deformities. This study analyzed 35 cases of SR in Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic. Pedigree analysis found that 21 cases were genetically related, sharing common ancestors, and 24 cases occurred within two breeding lines. The occurrence of sires related to multiple SR cases suggests a genetic basis. Based on patterns of occurrence in males and females, the syndrome appears to follow an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. A breeding trial is recommended to confirm genetic inheritance and establish an SR case collection for molecular investigation.

Uploaded by

Zulfiqar Hussan Kuthu
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Schistosoma reflexum in Holstein cattle: analysis of thirty five cases

Novotny V.,1* Dvorak V., 1 Novy F., 2

1 Department of Genetics and Special Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South


Bohemia University, Studentska 1668, Ceske Budejovice CZ37005, Czech Republic;
2 Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech

University of Life Sciences, Kamycka 129, Praha 6 CZ16500; *e-mail: novotny@[Link].

Keywords: cattle, schistosoma reflexum, inheritance, congenital, malformation

Schistosoma reflexum (SR) is congenital syndrome characterized by abdominal fissure with


total eventration of viscera, dorsoflexion, and ankylosis of the spine and limbs. Most studies
of SR have dealt with the morphology of the syndrome, although some authors have also
proposed a genetic background. However, conclusive evidence has not yet been provided.
Thirty-five cases of SR diagnosed and reported by veterinary surgeons to the Czech
surveillance program for bovine genetic disorders wer e included. The cases occurr ed on
farms spread across the Czech Republic. Eight cases were females, 11 were males while the
sex was not recorded in 16 cases. The pedigree of each case was examined for common
maternal and paternal ancestors and for ancestors shared by other cases. When different cases
shared a common ancestor combined pedigrees were constructed. Pedigrees of 15 SR
unaffected Holstein calves were used as controls. Pedigree analyses included seven
generations in most cases, in a number of cases, pedigrees were incomplete due to
unregistered descent.
Twenty-one SR calves were genetically related, 18 SR cases had a common ancestor in the
paternal and maternal pedigrees. All sires producing SR cases were purebred Holsteins. In
addition to this pedigree, three cases of SR were progeny of the same grandfather, when two
of the grandmothers were related while the third was of unknown descent. Affected calves
shared common ancestors different from those shared by the unaffected offspring.
Analysis showed that 24 out of 35 registered SR cases occurred in two breeding lines. It
should be clearly emphasized, that in a large complicated pedigree, the common ancestors
may occur by chance, especially if they have been widely used. This is the case for
Osborndale Ivanhoe, US1189870, Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation, US1491007, Pawnee
Farm Arlinda Chief, US1427381 and S-W-D Valiant, US1650414 that are important breeding
sires used worldwide in Holstein cattle breeding. Sires as these will by chance occur in the
pedigree of defective Holstein calves. However, the occurrence of sires related to several
cases of SR may indicate a genetic aetiology.
Based on the present results and those of other s, cases of SR seem to occur in patterns
consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. X-linked recessive inheritance seems
unlikely as af fected males and females occur and dominant inheritance is not likely as
ancestors most likely were unaffected by this lethal syndrome. Also, a non-genetic aetiology
seems unlikely as cases occurred as isolated incidents and as cases of SR occur in twins with
only one progeny being affected.
To confirm the genetic aetiology of SR and to establish a collection of cases for molecular
investigations, a breeding trial is recommended where a sire that have had a SR affected
offspring is mated to closely related females, e.g. some of his own daughters. Until then it is
recommended to use such sires with caution to avoid unintended spread of deleterious genes
in the population.

Acknowledgements: research was supported by NAZV, project QK1690589.

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