Genetic disorders in dairy cattle: An Indian perspective

Abstract

Genetic diseases have always been present in the animal population but their significance has increased in recent decades. In some breeds, the occurrence of inherited anomalies has become frequent and economically important. Some of autosomal recessive disorders are Holstein specific. The present review article describes prevalence of the most important autosomal recessive disorders in Holstein and its crossbreds as compared to their occurrence worldwide. Mainly five disorders namely, bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS), bovine citrullinaemia, complex vertebral malformation (CVM) and factor XI (FXI) deficiency syndrome, are being screened in Indian Holstein and its crossbred cattle with the major objective to reduce the incidence of genetic disorders in cattle population and reduce the economic losses to the organized farms. Detection of heterozygote carriers enables their selection, and therefore, the control and prevention of the spread of recessive diseases in the population.