Occurrence of congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats: 211 cases investigated in 19 herds

• Published in: Small ruminant research Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 225 - 232
• Main Authors: Al-Ani, F.K, Khamas, W.A, Al-Qudah, K.M, Al-Rawashdeh, O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1998
• Subjects: abnormal development; atresia ani; breed differences; Congenital anomalies; congenital goiter; cysts; ectopia; ectopic horns; Goat; goat breeds; goats; hermaphroditism; hypospadias; incidence; Jordan; male genital diseases; polled trait; polydactylia; sex linkage; Shami breed; thyroglossal cysts; thyroid gland; Jordan; Shami breed; Goat; Jordan; Congenital anomalies
• ISSN: 0921-4488; 1879-0941
• DOI: 10.1016/S0921-4488(97)00090-4

A 9-year survey of the occurrence of congenital anomalies in goats was undertaken. Twenty-two herds of goats comprising 1130 goats were examined for the occurrence of congenital anomalies in their offspring. A total of 211 offspring from these herds suffered from various types of anomalies including 89 (42.18%) that suffered from congenital goiter. All affected kids exhibited palpable enlarged thyroid glands and were born very weak or premature. Also, 29 cases of thyroglossal duct cysts, 14 cases of hypospadias, 57 cases of hermaphroditism, 19 cases of atresia ani, one case of ectopic horns and 2 cases of polydactyly were recorded. Although developmental abnormalities of the goats are relatively uncommon, a substantial proportion of these can be accounted in Shami breed goats. Only one case of ectopic horns was seen in crossbreed goats, while local breed goats, as well as sheep raised in the same vicinity did not exhibit any developmental defects. Thus, a hereditary tendency for congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats has been suggested.