Genetic Traits and Colour Codes

Genetic Traits and Colour Codes

Gene Name	Description	Gene and Expression Code
Muscle Weakness	Newborn calves are weak and unable to stand up or walk shortly after birth resulting in calves becoming weaker over time & typically will succumb to other health issues	MWF = tested non-carrier / free of Early Onset Muscle Weakness MWC = tested carrier of Early Onset Muscle Weakness (heterozygous) MWS = tested true carrier of Early Onset Muscle Weakness (homozygous)
Brachyspina BY	Causes abortion & stillborn, shortened spinal cord, long legs & abnormal organs	BYC = tested carrier of Brachyspina BYF = tested non-carrier of Brachyspina
Complex Vertebral Malformation CVM	Causes still-born calves, abortions, and early embryonic losses	CVC = tested carrier of CVM CVF = tested non-carrier of CVM
Bovine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency BLAD	Deficiency of a normally occurring protein needed for white blood cells or leukocytes, which are body’s infection fighters	BLC = tested carrier of BLAD BLF = tested non-carrier of BLAD
MULEFOOT	Toes of foot are joined, giving animal a single hoof, instead of cloven ones	MFC = tested carrier of MULEFOOT MFF = tested non-carrier of MULEFOOT
Deficiency of Uridine Monophosphate Synthase DUMPS	One of many enzymes contributing to normal metabolic processes	DPC = tested carrier of DUMPS DPF = tested non-carrier of DUMPS
CHOLESTEROL DEFICIENCY	A genetic disposition for increased calf losses with Holstein cattle	CDF =Tested Free of Cholesterol Deficiency CDC = Tested Carrier of Cholesterol Deficiency CDS = Tested True Cholesterol Deficiency
BETA CASEIN A2	A1 and A2 beta-casein are genetic variants of the beta-casein milk protein that differ by one amino acid	A2A2 = Beta Casein A2A2 A1A1 = Beta Casein A1A1 A1A2 = Beta Casein A1A2
FACTOR XI	Blood clotting disorder	XIC = tested carrier of FACTOR XI XIF = tested non-carrier of FACTOR XI
Citrullinemia CIT	Accumulation of ammonia and other toxics in blood in baby calves	CNC = tested carrier of CIT CNF = tested non-carrier of CIT
KAPPA CASEIN	Results are a combination of A, B and E gene types.	BB, AB, BE, AA, AE, EE
BETA LACTOGLOBULIN	Results are a combination of A and B gene types.	BL-AA, BL-AB, BL-BB
ALPHA S-1 CASEIN	Results are a combination of B and C gene types.	ACN-BB, ACN-BC, ACN-CC

POLLED & TRANSMITTING CODES

Gene Name	Description	Gene and Expression Code
POLLED	Animals without horns (Reported born hornless – Not Tested)	POR = code
POLLED (Current-Indirect test)	Indirect Test POS = true polled (homozygous PP) POC = carrier of polled (heterozygous Pp) POF = free of polled

Birth Codes (Secondary)

Code	Description
MB	Multiple Birth
ET	Embryo Transfer (regular)
ETA	Embryo Transfer Adult Clone
ETM	Embryo Transfer Manipulation (Divided, Nuclear Transfer, Split)

Coat/Hair Colour Codes

Code	Description
AB	All Black
AR	All Red
AW	All White
B/R	Black/red (primarily B&W although exhibits reddish peculiar hair patterns-- muzzles, ears, dorsal stripe, etc.)
B&W	Black and White
IC	Irregular or other colour (non-typical animals)
R&W	Red and White
LB	Lineback (animal having a distinct white stripe along the spine)

Coat/Hair Colour Codes

Gene Name	Description	Gene and Expression Code
Homozygous Black (ED / ED)	B&W – black & white	RDF – Tested non-carrier of red gene
Red Carrier (ED / e)	B&W – black & white	RDC – Carrier of red gene
Homozygous Red (e / e)	R&W – red & white
Heterozygous Wildtype (e / E+)¹	B/R – black/red colour pattern R&W – red & white	RDC – Carrier of red gene
Heterozygous Black/Wildtype (ED / E+)¹	B&W – black & white B&W – black & white	BRC – Carrier of black/red gene RDC – Carrier of red gene
Homozygous Wildtype (E+ / E+)¹	R&W – red & white B/R – black/red colour pattern B&W – black & white	RDC – Carrier of red gene RDC – Carrier of red gene BRC – Carrier of black/red gene
Variant Red	R&W – red & white	VRR – Not tested / determined by lineage BKC – Carrier of black gene VRF – Free of Variant Red VRC – Carrier of Variant Red VRS – Homozygous Variant Red

GT Codes

Code	Description
GTM	Genotype on file from DNA Micro-satellite Test
GTS	Genotype on file from SNP Genomic Test
GT	Indicates on the animal info sheet (AIS) that the animal has been genotyped.
*If both tests have been done, the code GTSM will be displayed

All results are made public, published on official documents and the Animal Inquiry page of the Holstein Canada website.

Legend

¹ E+ can be black, black/red or red based on pedigree.