Genetic disorders of sheep in New Zealand: A review and perspective

Abstract

Genetic disorders of sheep that have occurred in New Zealand are reviewed and discussed with regard to phenotype, inheritance and, where known, genotype. Inbreeding was a major factor in the emergence of some of them. The various disorders reflect a continuum, ranging from simple monogenic diseases or malformations due to dysfunctional gene products, those monogenic disorders dependant on environmental interactions, malformations due to homeotic gene dysfunctions, and multifactorial diseases for which genetic factors are associated with disease susceptibility. Chromosomal aberrations, although of limited importance, have contributed to an understanding of the physical chromosome map and derivative linkage map of sheep.

KEY WORD:

• Genetic disorders
• sheep
• New Zealand
• review

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the help of colleagues who made information and archival material available for this review. These are noted in appropriate sections of the text.

Notes

WM Blakemore, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, England

I Anderson, Equine Blood Typing and Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston University

AF Julian, Gribbles Veterinary Pathology, Hamilton, New Zealand Palmerston North, New Zealand

AM Crawford, AgResearch Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

DF Hill, Global Technologies, Dunedin, New Zealand

WD Roe, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand