Uniformity of response of identical twin cattle to sporidesmin intoxication

Authors: Gravett IM, Smith BL
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 34, Issue 12, pp 217-219, Dec 1986
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Inflammation, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Disease/defect, Disease resistance, Mycotoxicosis, Liver/hepatic disease, Fungal/yeast, Genetics, Photosensitivity, Toxicology
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Sixteen pairs of identical twin dairy calves were reared together and at one year of age subjected to a test of uniformity of response to sporidesmin intoxication. The response was measured by scoring livers for toxic injury and by measuring serum gamma-glutamyltransferase at weekly intervals after dosing. Within pair variance in serum gamma-glutamyltransferase was greatest at two and six weeks after sporidesmin dosing when enzyme levels were rising and falling. Within twin variance and the interclass correlation coefficients were least and greatest respectively at five weeks after dosing. At five weeks the GGT correlation coefficient was 0.89 and for liver injury score 0.76. High consistency among twins of a pair, compared with differences among pairs indicates a high relative efficiency in using identical twins rather than singles for experimental work (approximately x 5). It is also consistent with a high heritability of resistance to sporidesmin intoxication in dairy cattle.

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