Bovine Inherited Disease Testing

We offer high-quality testing services to detect DNA mutations responsible for the following inherited diseases. Please contact us by phone or email for further information.

Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD)

Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deviciency (BLAD) is a fatal disease occuring in cattle. The disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and results in an animal's susceptibility to infectious diseases. This is caused by an inability of the leukocytes (white blood cells) to pass from the blood stream into the infected tissue.

Complex Vertebral Malformation (CVM)

Complex Vertebral Malformation (CVM) is a severe inherited disease occuring in Holstein-Friesian cattle. CVM is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and characterized by multiple malformations including proportional dwarfism, symmetrical arthrogryposis of anterior and posterior limbs, and malformation of the cervical and the thoracic parts of the vertebral column. The disease has been hypothezised to have spread through an American artificial insemination bull that was formerly commonly used in breeding programs world wide.

Free-Martinism

Freemartinism occurs when a female twin shares the uterus with a male. The placental membranes that connect the fetus to the dam are shared, and the placental fluids are exchanged between the two fetuses. The exchange of fluid and blood between the two calves mixes the antigens responsible for carrying the unique sexual characteristics of each calf. The twins develop with some sexual characteristics of both the male and female. This transfer of hormones and antigens causes the female's reproductive tract to be severely underdeveloped, and in some cases they express characteristics of a male reproductive system. Often the ovaries are underdeveloped and are not capable of producing eggs. The uterus is also underdeveloped, and the reproductive tract does not supply sufficient hormones necessary to maintain a pregnancy.

We offer DNA testing service for early detection of Free-Martinism from a calf's hair sample or EDTA blood sample.