Comparison of cranial dysraphism in a breed of crested duck (Hollandse kuifeend) and in the bovine

The dysraphic state in the Dutch crested duck is a breed specific autosomal trait with an incomplete penetrance. We have observed similarities between the lesions found in the head of the normal Dutch crested duck ( Hollandse kuifeend ) and cases of dysraphism found in calves that have continuously been brought to our laboratory. The comparison between these lesions in different animal species has not been described before. Breeding studies have shown that dysraphic state in the duck is a lethal trait but, as in other airmails with undesirable traits, such as the British bulldog and crested chicken breeds, the crested duck continues to flourish. Based on the gross similarities of the lesions proposed that the pathogenesis of the condition could be the same and the duck could be adopted as an animal model for the study of this condition in the bovine although the pattern of inheritance of this condition in the bovine has not been established. Zimbabwe Vet. J. Vol.33(2) 2002: 64-71