Congenital malformations. Report of meromelia, amelia, and anury in calves

Cueva-Rodríguez M.; Pomatanta-Escobal N.I.; Portal-Torres J.; Wigoberto Alvarado C.; Quilcate-Pairazamán C. · Revista Mexicana De Ciencias Pecuarias (2025) · DOI: 10.22319/rmcp.v16i4.6762

Resumen

Amelia is a malformation represented by the absence of one or more limbs. The causes of this anomaly are multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and epigenetic components. Mutations in critical genes, such as Shh (Sonic Hedgehog) and Hox genes, which are essential for limb formation and differentiation during embryonic development, and disruptions in Shh, Hox, or their signaling pathways can result in amelia. Mutations in these genes can also cause severe disruptions in limb development. Amelia is anatomically characterized by the complete absence of one or more forelimbs or hindlimbs. As for meromelia, this type of anomaly consists of the partial absence of one or more limbs. Three cases of cattle presented malformations of the forelimbs; the first and third cases showed anury. Macroscopic examination identified the first case with meromelia and anury. In the second case, amelia of the right and left forelimbs was identified, and in the third case, anury was present. It is concluded that congenital anomalies were present in all three cases. © This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas; Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca