Ovine Achondroplasia Cheviot

Achondroplasia is a bone growth disorder, and it affects sheep with impaired cartilage development. It exhibits itself in new-born lambs through a “squashed” facial appearance, due to impaired development of the cartilage that forms the nasal cavity. It can also involve the absence of feet, and shortened tails and ears. The disorder is commonly referred to as “stumpy lamb.”

Recently, scientists at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland worked with Cheviot sheep farmers to better understand the cause of achondroplasia. Now, the specific genetic mutation has been identified.

Neogen has since taken this information a step further, and has developed a commercial DNA test for the achondroplasia mutation. Affected, unaffected and carrier animals can now be identified.