Arthrogryposis: an inherited defect in newborn calves

Arthrogryposis, frequently associated with cleft palate, scoliosis and kyphosis, has been investigated in pure and crossbred Charolais calves. During a 3-year study, a total of 76 congenitally malformed arthrogrypotic calves from 41 purebred and commercial Charolais herds was investigated. Investigations of the management, feeds, water and poisonous pasture plants in 6 herds reporting deformed calves did not reveal any factors which could be associated with the appearance of the defect. Analysis of pedigrees and matings which produced arthrogrypotic calves revealed that the arthrogryposis syndrome in the Charolais breed and its crosses in Canada is genetic in origin and caused by an autosomal recessive gene with complete penetrance in the homozygous state.