Abstract
A case of Japanese Black heifer with a congenital absence of teat (athelia) was observed at Highashi-Hiroshima Agricultural High School, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The heifer was born after transfer of embryo from Japanese Black cattle. The sire of the heifer was a proven Japanese Black. The birth weight of the heifer was 27 kg. On physical examination of the heifer at 21 months after birth, the teat at fore left was absent and the remaining three teats were normal in shape without any physical abnormalities. Per rectal palpation of the genital organs revealed the normal cervix and uterine horns. It was difficult to palpate the ovaries due to the fat around the organs. Blood samples were taken for cytogenetic and DNA testing. The heifer had normal chromosomal set. The heifer was culled due to its mammary abnormality. This might be the first to report a case of congenital absence of a teat in Japanese Black heifers.
Highlights
Congenital aberrations in the mammary gland of the cows include many structural defects; the only one of significance is supernumerary teats
On physical examination of the heifer at 21 months after birth, the teat at fore left was absent and the remaining three teats were normal in shape without any physical abnormalities
A Japanese Black heifer was born on 20th August 2001 at Highashi-Hiroshima Agricultural High School after transfer of embryo originated from proven Japanese Black sire and dam
Summary
Congenital aberrations in the mammary gland of the cows include many structural defects; the only one of significance is supernumerary teats. In India, some reports on the congenital affections of the udder and teats in buffaloes were published. A 4-year-old Murrah buffalo with a history of absence of teats was reported [3]. A buffalo with only two well-developed hind quarters along with two developed teats was described[5] and the absence of mammary gland and teats in a she goat was described [6]. Congenital aplastic deformities of the breast include amastia (total absence of breasts and nipple), athelia (absence of the nipple), and amazia (absence of the mammary gland) [8]. Available literature reveals no reports regarding absence of a teat (athelia) in Japanese Black cattle
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