No evidence of an association between lethal recessive osteopetrosis and performance in dairy cattle.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if carriers of lethal recessive genetic disorder Osteopetrosis OS) was associated with positive or negative effects on fertility, carcass and milk production traits. Osteoepetrosis is a lethal recessive genetic disorder of gene SLC4A2, which codes for a protein necessary for proper osteoclast function. Affected calves are most often stillborn prematurely or survive less than 24 hours. Carriers are relatively unaffected. Recessive genes can be managed if proven advantageous or selected against if not. Ultimately reduce resources wasted and emissions created when carrying non viable calves to term.