Autosomal Cholesterol Deficiency in a Holstein Calf

Cholesterol deficiency (CD) is an autosomal recessive defect in Holstein cattle caused by a mutation in the apolipoprotein B gene (APOB). This paper reports the clinical and pathological phenotype of a case of CD in a 5-months-old Holstein calf. Retarded growth, chronic, intermittent diarrhea, stomatitis, hypocholesterolemia and low blood triglycerides concentrations were the most important clinical and ancillary findings. Histopathologically, inflammation of the digestive organs was the most evident sign. Blood from the patient, the dam, sister1, sister2 and semen of the sire were tested for APOB mutation: the calf resulted homozygous, whereas the dam and the sire resulted heterozygous carriers. Both sisters were APOB mutation free. Cholesterol deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive in Holstein calves.