HEREDITARY FACTORS AND ABNORMALITIES

The study of heredity in genetics 

• gene mutation

-hormone

-chemicals

-deficiency -vitamins/minerals

-infection

-inbreeding

-parents

Teratogenic- an agent or factor that can cause structural or functional birth defects in a developing fetus

• sanitation chemicals

Congenital abnormalities

• ,malformation that involves a particular organ or part of the animal’s body called an anomaly

  • cyclopia, birth defects, the front part of the brain doesn’t have a right and left hemisphere. 

    • single eye or partially divided eye

Classified according to effects on the fetus

• present before birth

Free Martin- twins born to a cow when one is male and one is female.

• female become masculinized / sterile 

• behaves like bull

Congenital hypotrichosis in cattle ( ectodermal dysplasia)

• leading cause of genetics

• intolerant to cold

• dental abnormalities

• hole in roof of mouth ( animal die of starvation)

• cryptorchidism - testicles doesn’t descend into the scrotum

  • cryptorchid- both testicles haven’t descended

  • monoacid- 1 testicle descends

Genetic anomalies of genetic origins

-Genotype- refers to the actual genetic make up of an individual

-Phenotype- refers to physical traits that are visible

• dominant gene-  which one covers or overshadows the expression of the other member gene pair

• recessive gene-  gene that is masked or overshadowed in the presence of a dominant gene

• homozygous- gene pairs alike (BB)

• heterozygous- gene pairs differ (Bb)

Environmental factors can cause congenital abnormalities that resemble genetic defects 

lethal in sheep

Anencephaly- absence of brain

• ingested toxic plants in early gestation

Toxic plants ( corn lily, wild corn, cow cabbage)

Lethal in swine

• atresia ani- born with hinegut fails to fully communicate with the perineum

• anus is stenotic or imperforate