Cases of congenital defects (CDs) in cattle diagnosed at the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology of the Federal University of Santa Maria from 1964 to 2010 were reviewed. During the studied period tissues collected from the necropsy of 7,132 cattle were examined and 31 calves (0.4%) with CDs were found. These CDs were classified into 34 different types and ascribed to the body system primarily affected. CDs were solitary (19 [61.3%]) or multiple (12 [38.7%]) and found with similar frequency in calves of both sexes. As several calves displayed multiple defects, a total of 53 CDs were computed. Out of the 53types of CDs diagnosed 15 (28.3%) affected the central nervous system (cranioschisis [4], cerebellar abiotrophy [2], spongy degeneration [2], hydrocephalus [2], meningocele [2], spina bifida [1], cerebellar hypoplasia [1], and hypomyelinogenesis [1]); nine (17.0%) affected the urogenital system (testicular agenesis [1], vaginal agenesia [1], penile hypoplasia [1], cloacal formation [1], freemartinism [1], ovarian vascular hamartoma [1], renal hypoplasia [1], renal cysts [1], and persistent urachus [1]); eight CDs (15,1%) were primary to the musculoskeletal system (arthrogryposis [4], scoliosis [1], plagiocephaly [1] schistosomus reflexus [1], and diprosopus [1]) and another eight (15,1%) were in the digestive system (palatoschisis [3], anal atresia [1], anorectal atresia [1], ano-colonic atresia [1], recto-vaginal fistula [1], and recto-urethral fistula [1]); in five instances (9.4%) the CD affected the cardiovascular system (persistent ductus arteriosus [2], persistence of foramen ovale [2], and ventricular septal defect [1]); four (7.5%) affected the lymphatic system and consisted of inherited hypoplasia or aplasia of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes associated with lymphedema. Two cases (3.0%), of hypotrichosis were observed affecting the integument; one case (1.9%) of tracheal stenosis was found in the respiratory system and one case of goiter (1.9%) involved the endocrine system. The results of this survey inidicate that the majority o CDs in cattle in the central Rio Grande do Sul are sporadic; nevertheless their continued study is important for determining the etiology and control.
Congenital defects; inherited diseases; diseases of cattle
