Cholesterol deficiency / HCD / CDH (APOB-related) - Cattle

Cholesterol deficiency in cattle

This DNA test examines the APOB1.3 kb ERV2-1 insertion that causes cholesterol deficiency. The disorder is also known as HCD, CDH, Holstein cholesterol deficiency or cholesterol deficiency haplotype. APOB is essential for transport of fats and cholesterol in the body.

What does cholesterol deficiency mean?

• Fat and cholesterol transport: affected calves can lack sufficient apolipoprotein B function.
• Clinical picture: chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, reduced growth and low cholesterol values have been described.
• Severity: homozygous animals often die young, usually within the first months of life.

Practical value of this test

The result helps distinguish clear animals, carriers and genetically affected animals. In Holstein-related breeding lines, carrier detection is important to prevent losses from affected calves and plan matings more precisely.