Phenotypes

In the words of Charlier et al. (2008), "All calves with CMD have episodes of generalized muscle contractures, but careful clinical examination suggested two distinct phenotypes (CMD1 and CMD2)."

By cloning and sequencing a very likely comparative candidate gene (based on the homologous human disorder), Dennis et al. (2000) identified two causal mutations in Brahman cattle, namely a frameshifting 2-bp deletion (c.1057delTA; the "E7" mutation) and a nonsense mutation (c.1783C>T; p.Arg595Ter; the "E13" mutation) in the bovine GAA gene; and a 2-bp frameshifting deletion (c.2454delCA; the "E18" mutation) in Shorthorns.

Häfliger et al. (2021) investigated “the two Braunvieh populations reared in Switzerland, the dairy Brown Swiss (BS) and the dual-purpose Original Braunvieh (OB). We performed a genome-wide analysis of array data of trios (sire, dam, and offspring) from the routine genomic selection to identify candidate regions showing missing homozygosity and phenotypic associations with five fertility, ten birth, and nine growth-related traits. In addition,...

Besnard et al. (2023) "present a data-mining framework designed to detect recessive defects in livestock that have been previously missed due to a lack of specific signs, incomplete penetrance, or incomplete linkage disequilibrium. This approach leverages the massive data generated by genomic selection. Its basic principle is to compare the observed and expected numbers of homozygotes for sliding haplotypes in animals with different life histo...

By sequencing a strong positional candidate gene, namely TWIST1, Capitan et al. (2011) identified a small duplication (c.148_157dup (p.A56RfsX87)) that inactivates the gene. This frameshift mutation segregates perfectly with type 2 scurs.

"Affected animals have a crooked tail and shortened head, growth retardation, extreme muscularity and spastic paresia, although some characteristics show variable penetrance. CTS is not lethal per se, but causes substantial economic losses due to growth retardation and treatment." (Charlier et al., 2008)