Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐ฒ๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ is a pretty complex name, so lets break it down. ๐๐ฒ๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ means poor development of the hair follicles (hypo- meaning less, and trich- meaning hair), while ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ means lack of teeth (an- meaning not, and odont- meaning teeth). So these animals have no teeth and minimal hair!
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
While this condition can be seen in many species, we most commonly think of it in cattle.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
In cattle, this disease is ๐ข๐ง๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ through the ๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐. Female animals have two X genes in their cells, while males have one X and one Y. Because this condition is ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐, meaning it only expresses itself if it is the only gene present, male animals more susceptible to the condition. In females, the second X with the โcorrectโ gene may override the affected gene, producing a normal animal. So for a female to be affected, both X genes would have to have the affected gene. Males do not have the benefit of a second X gene in their cells, making them more susceptible.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
This condition affects the development of the ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ, one of the layers of the embryo, preventing the normal structures that develop from the ectoderm from forming in the developing fetus. This includes the hair follicles, skin glands and teeth! So, these animals are often poorly haired, and have little to no tooth development. Typically horned animals will also not develop their horns.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
This is pretty easy to diagnose, just by looking at the animal!
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for these animals. Because the lack of teeth makes it difficult for them to lead a normal bovine life, these calves are often euthanized.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-4) Examples of hairless calves!
5) The mouth of a calf with anodontia, showing little to no tooth development.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Zachary JF. Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease. Sixth Edition.
Photos 1-5 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributors Harrington, Nation, Leipold, Oโtoole, Mosier licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
