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Evaluation of the X-Ray Method of Detecting Animals Heterozygous for Snorter Dwarfism^{1, 2}

University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station,³ Knoxville

Abstract

for the past 4 years the X-ray method of detecting animals heterozygous for "Snorter" dwarfism has been investigated. This method is based on vertebrae abnormalities as shown on radiographs of young calves. This study includes the radiographs of some 1500 calves representing several different lines of breeding in both the Hereford and Angus breeds. Also, include in this study are the test mating results of 89 animals (80 heifers, 9 bulls) X-rayed as calves.

The data presented indicate:

1. The X-ray method is highly accurate in identifying "Snorter" dwarf calves.
   
2. There is considerable overlap within the range of normal morphology to mild vertebrae abnormality between presumed non-carrier and carrier animals.
   
3. Radiographs of a bull's progeny may be used as a general method of predicting his dwarfism status before actually progeny testing him. However, the X-ray method is not recommended to the breeder as a basis for identification of individual animals with respect to genotype for dwarfism.
   

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Tennessee Agriculture Experiment Station, Knoxville.

² Contribution from the Regional Project S—10, a cooperate beef cattle breeding research program of State Experiment Stations in the Southern Region and the Animal-Husbandry-Research Division, ARS, USDA.

³ Department of Animal Husbandry-Veterinary Science.