Genetic Disorders and Dietary Deficiencies

Inherited disorders

stems from DNA copying errors or mutations

dominant mutation

mutation typically manifesting in the affected individual, allowing for prompt recognition and removal

recessive mutations

mutation more significant in animal populations

Developmental duplication

emerged in Angus cattle, initially recognized as neonatal calves with accessory limbs

Arthrogryposis multiplex

Curly calf syndrome. Angus cattle having congenital contracture and fixation of multiple joints, often resulting in death before or during parturition.

Neuropathic hydrocephalus

recessive disorder in Angus cattle, characterized by extreme hydocephalus causing cardiomegaly

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly

fawn calf syndrome. a recessive heritable marfanoid syndrome in Angus calves.

proportionate dwarfism

reported in Angus calves (Australia). characterized by proportionate body conformation but low birth weights. intrauterine growth retardation

Disproportionate dwarfism

characterized by mild chondrodysplasia, resulting in smaller stature, short legs, potbelly, blocky conformation, and elongated nose or shortened face

Dexter chondrodysplacia

a defect where selection for a short-legged phenotype led to a high proportion of heterozygotes for the bulldog calf genotype

Pulmonary hypoplasia and anasarca

in dexter cattle characterized by severe fetal dystocia due to a large bulldog-like calf

complex vertebral malformation syndrome

lethal congenital malformation in Holstein Friesian causing extensive fetal mortality. growth retardation in surviving fetus

Brachyspina

lethal congenital formation in Holstein-friesian causing shortened spine,long slender limbs, micrognathism, and renal and gonadal dysplasia

aneuploidy

variation in chromosome number due to nondisjunction during meiosis leading to developmental abnormalities or embryonic death

polyploidy

presence of whole multiples of the haploid chromosome number, often due to polyspermy or failure to expel polar bodies

intrauterine growth retardation

caused by restricted protein and energy nutrition impacting neonatal survival, growth, feed efficiency, body composition, meat quality, long-term health, and adult disease onset

Nutritional chondrodysplasia

reported in cattle as various syndrome often associated with drought and poor maternal nutrition.

Vitamin A

deficiency causes ocular and facial malformations, brain and spinal cord defects in pigs. may also cause fetal deaths, ocular changes, and blindness in cattle

Vitamin A deficiency

occurs due to lack of green fed or secondary to liver/intestinal disease

Thiamine

deficiency can adversely affect embryonic development and survival but no malformation

Riboflavin

deficiency may cause anomalous limb development in pigs. in rats, affects mandible, long bones, and digits. considered teratogenic

Niacin

deficiency in rats causes brain malformations, and ocular, urogenital, skeletal, and vascular abnormalities

Pyridoxine

deficiency affect perinatal development

Folic acid

crucial for development. deficiency causes malformations in rats.

pantothenic acid

deficiency in rats causes eye and brain abnormalities. in pigs, causes fetal deaths and locomotor incoordination

Vitamin b12

deficiency causes hydrocephalus in young rat

Vitamin D

deficiency causes skeletal abnormalities in rodents, pigs, calves. toxicity affects osteogenesis and digit ossification

Vitamin E

deficiency affects pregnancy maintenance, development, survival, and growth. can cause exencephaly, hydrocephalus, cleft palate

congenital white muscle disease

effect of deficiency of Vitamin E in lambs/calves

Vitamin K

deficiency causes cerebral hemorrhage in rat pups and abortions in rabbits

Copper

deficiency causes congenital enzootic ataxia in sheep

selenium

deficiency causes congenital muscular dystrophy in lambs. toxicity causes eye and limb malformations, reproductive organ hypoplasia

iodine

deficiency causes congenital goiter and hyperthyroidism in neonates

Calcium

severe prolonged deficiency during pregnancy affects fetal skeletal development, leading to stillborn or nonviable offspring

magnesium

common in grazing ruminants, affecting neuromuscular function.

iron

deficiency causes anemia in rat, high neonatal mortality, and ocular defects

manganese

deficiency causes ataxia and skeletal shortening in rat/mouse offspring

phosphorus

deficiency causes bone fragility and pica in cattle

zinc

deficiency causes hydrocephalus and skeletal hypoplasia in piglets