The bent-leg syndrome in sheep. II. Association with genetic markers

Comprehensive blood typing (17 factors) and electrophoretic protein markers (haemoglobins, transferrins and albumins) were determined on S.A. Mutton Merino sheep (n = 275). The frequencies of these genetic markers were compared between ram lambs with normal and ram lambs with bent-legs and in a second trial between non-affected ewes and their lambs and ewes and lambs which were considered to be carriers of genetic factors resulting in the bent-leg syndrome. The presence of blood factors 2, 3 and 13 and the absence of factors 8, 10 and 17 is possibly linked to the bent-leg syndrome. Although the frequencies of TFA and TFD alleles were higher in the suspected carrier animals than non-affected animals, no definite linkage to the bent-leg syndrome was found. Haemoglobin and albumin type showed no correlation with the bent-let syndrome.