Scientists have identified a gene for a disease specific to Holstein calves

A birth defect called "recumbent calf" causes newborns tocalves are unable to stand on their own. As scientists explain , the calves themselves are healthy, but they rarely survive even to the age of six weeks. Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study and were able to identify the gene responsible for this defect, which will help prevent its occurrence in the future.

Scientists compared the genotype of two groups of calves, 18 sick and 26 healthy, according to a study published in the journal phys.org. A certain segment of DNA is responsible for the inability of calves to stand up, and the calf must inherit this damaged gene twice from both parents. At the same time, the scientists noted, the transfer of the damaged gene does not guarantee that the calf will be born sick, but the percentage of healthy calves with this set of genes is quite small.

With the data on which gene to identify, scientists were able to develop a genetic test that can identify the mutation using a sample of blood, hair or other animal tissue. Farmers will thus be able to test males and females and prevent them from crossing if there is a risk of passing on the gene from both parents, the report says.