Pathological studies of cross-related congenital hypotrichosis in cattle

Examination of 13 cattle with cross-related congenital hypotrichosis showed that the disease is characterized by a short, curly, dilute-color, malformed, sometimes sparse, hair coat that occasionally causes physical impairment of the affected animal. Because the disease is associated with crossbreeding programs utilizing certain breeds of cattle, it is hypothesized that the etiology may be due to color dilution mutants present in European breeds of cattle. Continued investigation may lead to a more complete understanding of this disease.