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LATEST INFORMATION ON
GENETIC CONDITIONS

CA INCIDENCE LOW AND MANAGEABLE (26 AUGUST 2010)

Angus Australia’s extensive pedigree database has enabled gene probability analyses to quickly and accurately determine a low and easily manageable incidence of Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA) in the Australian Angus population. More…

CONTRACTURAL ARACHNODACTYLY (CA) UPDATE (27 JULY 2010), FORMERLY FAWN CALF SYNDROME

Angus Australia has received a list of preliminary test results from Dr Jon Beever of the University of Illinois for animals tested for Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA), formerly Fawn Calf Syndrome (FCS). This list has also been published by the American Angus Association at http://www.angus.org/Pub/CA/CA_Notice_072610.pdf

CA is a genetic condition inherited as a simple recessive. A detailed description of the phenotype associated with CA can be found at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/health/specific/cattle/ca-angus

On July 21 a consignment of semen and blood samples of Australian animals was sent to Dr Beever's lab for CA testing. We anticipate these results in the first week of August.

Angus Australia will immediately start the following process:

1. Currently available results will be loaded onto our database.
2. As soon as the results of the July 21 consignment to the US are available, they will be loaded onto the database.
3. Once all of these results are loaded. We will conduct a GeneProb analysis for CA.
4. The GeneProb results for all animals owned by a member, and the parents of these animals, will be made available on that member's secure file download area [if you have not accessed this download area previously then please contact Angus Australia to obtain login details].
5. Negotiations will continue with Dr Beever to give members another opportunity to supply samples for an additional round of preliminary testing at Dr Beever's laboratory in the US.
6. If this is successful, then when we receive these additional results back from Dr Beever they will also be loaded onto the Angus Australia database. A further GeneProb analysis will then be completed.
7. The results of this additional GeneProb analysis will then be available on each animal's �Genetic Status� page on the web.

It is important to note that a commercialised test is still not available for CA and the currently available results are based on preliminary testing conducted at Dr Beever's laboratory in the US. Angus Australia will continue to work closely with Dr Beever and commercial laboratories in Australia to secure access to a commercially available test as soon as possible.

We hope this update gives members a clear indication of measures Angus Australia intends to progress over the next couple of weeks in regards to making the CA status of animals available to Angus members and the broader beef industry.

MANAGING GENETIC ABNORMALITIES - (eNews 09/12/09)

What causes genetic abnormalities in cattle? And why do they seem to be occurring with greater frequency? During the 2009 Range Beef Cow Symposium in Casper, Wyo., University of Illinois molecular genetics specialist Jon Beever addressed those questions and talked about technologies available for managing genetic abnormalities such as arthrogryposis multiplex, neuropathic hydrocephalus, osteopetrosis and others. [Read more...]

24/06/09: Board Meeting Decisions

The following two regulations dealing with genetic conditions were changed to:

6.24 Angus Australia currently recognises the following genetic conditions:

(i) Category 1

• Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM)
• Dwarfism
• Fawn Calf Syndrome
• Heterochromia Irides (white eye)
• Mannosidosis
• Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH)
• Osteopetrosis (marble-bone disease)
• Syndactyl (mule foot)

(ii) Category 2

• Muscular Hypertrophy (double muscling)
• Red Gene Factor

6.25 The following points apply to genetic conditions currently recognised by Angus Australia:

1. The registration certificates of all registered animals will display codes describing test results for recognised recessive genetic conditions. These codes, as well as the calculated probabilities of animals being carriers of these genetic conditions will also be available for all animals listed on the Angus Australia website. This information is subject to change and will be re-analysed and adjusted regularly.
2. Animals known to express Category 1 genetic conditions are not eligible for registration.
3. Only the genetic test results of samples submitted to Angus Australia will be recorded on the Angus Australia database.

It was decided to remove the "S" from the AMS__% code identifying animals with a probability of being a carrier. Now animals with a probability to be a carrier of current and future conditions will be coded as AM__%, NH__% etc.

The Board decided to implement a field on the "Animal Details Page" on the Angus website to list all genetic test results available for each animal. The field is called “Genetic Status” and the different test results or probabilities will be displayed once you click on the "View" link next to the field.

Members can access a list of genetic condition results and probabilities for all animals in their ownership by logging into their secure file download area and then downloading the appropriate file. [To log on click here…]

Other Information

• CEO Comments on Recessive Genetic Conditions

• Latest AM information

• Genetic Defects - Questions & Answers

• AM for Bull Buyers Flyer

• AM and NH for Bull Buyers

• AA DNA Pricing

• Simple explanation of Genetic Recessive Conditions for Sale Catalogues