Complex vertebral malformation: relationship between carrier status and milk yield in three holstein herds in western Mexico

Complex vertebral malformation (CVM) is an autosomal recessive genetic syndrome present in Holstein cattle. The disease results in direct economic losses for cattle ranchers due to abortions and deaths of newborn calves. The purpose of the study was to estimate the allelic and genotypic frequencies of CVM syndrome in three Holstein cow herds in western Mexico and determine whether an improving effect between CVM genotype and milk production exists. A total of 308 cows were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction–restrictionfragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) assays. The cow’s genotypes and first-and second-lactation total milk yield adjusted to 305 days were compared using a mixed statistical model, and the genotypic frequencies were calculated. The total recessive allele frequency of the CVM was 0.06. Milk production by lactation did not differ between CVM carriers and normal cows. It is concluded that not a direct relationship was found between milk production and CVM carrier status in the Mexican herds sampled