[White heifer disease as a cause of herd subfertility]

In a herd with fertility problems mainly in the heifers, White Heifer Disease was diagnosed in a quarter of the animals. All affected animals were of the Belgian Blue breed and were sired bij the same bull. It was concluded that as a consequence of the hereditary character of the affection, White Heifer Disease can cause herd subfertility, mainly when a high degree of inbreeding has taken place. Especially in the Belgian Blue breed, which is a rather small population with many white animals, the breeding stock should be examined to eliminate the carriers of this disease.