Ayrshire Haplotype 1 (AH1)
(AH1C = Single carrier, AH1T = Double carrier)
AH1 is an autosomal recessively inherited disease, identified in the Canadian and Nordic Ayrshire populations. AH1 and PIRM are located very closely to each other in the genome, and it is expected that they are the same disease. They primarily cause early embryonic death (spontaneous abortion) within the first 100 days of gestation. If affected calves are born, they are malformed and have inhibited growth. There has also been reports of learning disabilities (e.g. difficulties learning to drink) The key ancestor is believed to be Selwood Betty’s Commander (CAN 393145).
Ayrshire Haplotype 2 (AH2)
(AH2C = Single carrier, AH2T = Double carrier)
AH2 is an autosomal recessively inherited disease, identified in the North American Ayrshire population. It causes early embryonic death (spontaneous abortion). The key ancestor is believed to be Oak-Ridge Lightning (US 120135).
Nordic Red Dairy Cattle - Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) (A2F = Not carrier, A2C = Single carrier, A2S = Double carrier) AMC is an autosomal recessively inherited disease in the Nordic Red Dairy Cattle population, but also segregates in other populations. It cases severe malformation of affected calves. The calves are stillborn and most often lead to calving difficulties.
Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC)
(AMF = Not carrier, AMC = Carrier)
AMC is an autosomal recessively inherited disease in the Nordic Red and Ayrshire Dairy Cattle population, but also segregates in other populations. It cases severe malformation of affected calves. The calves are stillborn and most often lead to calving difficulties.
Trimethylaminuria (fishy taint)
(FMO3C = Single carrier, FMO3A = Double carrier)
Trimethylaminuria is an autosomal recessively inherited disease in the Nordic Red and Ayrshire Dairy Cattle population. Affected animals produce milk that has fishy odour and taste. Other than a fishy taint off the milk, affected animals have no visible symptoms and are healthy.
Polled
(POF = Not carrier, Pp or P = Single carrier, PP = Double carrier)
Polled animals are hornless. The polled gene is dominant. An animal is polled if it inherits the gene from either or both the sire and the dam. There are two types of polled sires, heterozygous and homozygous. Heterozygous animals have one copy of the polled gene, and homozygous have two copies of the polled gene. Sometimes these are referred to as (P) and (PP). Using a heterozygous (P) polled sire (a bull with one copy of the polled gene), with a horned cow will lead to a 50-50 split between polled and horned calves in the next generation. Using a homozygous (PP) polled sire with a horned cow will result in polled calves in every instance.
Beta-casein (Possible genotypes: A1/A1, A1/A2, A2/A2)
Beta-casein is one of the main components of milk protein. There are two different variants (A1 and A2) A2/A2 Free from Beta-Casein - A1/A2 Contains Beta-Casein A1 and A2 - A1/A1 Contains Bata-Casein.
Kappa-casein (Possible genotypes: AA, AB, BB, AE, BE, EE)
Kappa-casein is a milk protein that is involved in several physiological processes. It helps stabilize the fat cells in the milk and is one of the key proteins in cheese production. During the production of cheese, the kappa-casein is segregated by the rennet, which causes the milk to thicken. There are 6 different variants of the gene (AA, AB, BB, AE, BE, EE). Cows that carry the BB gene, produce milk that is superior to the others regarding cheese production. Cows with the EE gene, produce milk that does not thicken the milk, and it there not suited for cheese production.