OCCURRENCE OF CONGENITAL-ANOMALIES IN SHAMI BREED GOATS - 211 CASES INVESTIGATED IN 19 HERDS

A 9-year survey of the occurrence of congenital anomalies in goats was undertaken. Twenty-two herds of goats comprising 1130 goats were exam ined for the occurrence of congenital anomalies in their offspring. A total of 211 offspring from these herds suffered from various types of anomalies including 89 (42.18%) thar suffered from congenital goiter. All affected kids exhibited palpable enlarged thyroid glands and were born very weak or premature. Also, 29 cases of thyroglossal duct cyst s, 14 cases of hypospadias, 57 cases of hermaphroditism, 19 cases of a tresia ani, one case of ectopic hems and 2 cases of polydactyly were r ecorded. Although developmental abnormalities of the goats are relativ ely uncommon, a substantial proportion of these can be accounted in Sh ami breed goats. Only one case of ectopic hems was seen in crossbreed goats, while local breed goats, as well as sheep raised in the same vi cinity did not exhibit any developmental defects. Thus, a hereditary t endency for congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats has been suggest ed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.