AMAA Abnormality Policy
Since our summer meetings, considerable time has been spent on the development of this adopted policy. The policy is general in form, in order to provide for the reporting of any genetic defect, keeping in mind the present issues we are working on are PHA and TH calves that are out of documented carriers. The Abnormality Policy can be found under the link “Abnormality Policy.”

Do both parents need to be carrier’s in order for the calf to be affected?
Yes, PHA is a result of simple autosomal recessive trait. Even though the sire and dam are normal in their appearance, they can pass on the genetic defect to their offspring.

Genotype Terminology
Phenotype
PP PHA-free normal
Pp PHA-carrier normal
pp PHA-affected affected

1. Free parent mated to a carrier parent. Resulting progeny has a 50 percent chance of being free or a 50 percent chance of being a carrier.

2. Mating two carrier parents. Resulting progeny have a 25 percent chance of being free, 50 percent chance of being a carrier or a 25 percent chance of being affected.

How prevalent is this genetic defect in the Maine-Anjou population?
At this point, we simply do not know. Rumor is far worse than fact and we do not yet have enough facts to answer this question. One must remember that all descendents of a designated carrier genetic line will not necessarily be carriers. (Refer to the tables above)

When will a commercial test for PHA be available?
Dr. Beever gave a report to the board at the Fort Worth meetings on the progress being made in locating a gene marker for PHA. At this time, there are still a few pieces to the puzzle missing. The timing does not look favorable to have a commercial test available by the early part of the spring breeding season. With some luck, a commercial test may be available by late spring or early summer.

If we do not have a commercial test, when will a list of carrier A.I. sires be available?
Remember that two confirmed cases by Dr. Steffen or Dr. Beever that are parent verified are needed in order to call the parent or parents a carrier. After deemed a carrier, the owners have the notification and appeal process that can be exercised. Without the commercial test, realistically only a few A.I. sires may be deemed carriers by spring breeding season.

How do we keep up with updated listings?
AMAA will be providing a link to our Web site, www.maine-anjou.org dealing with PHA. This will be kept current with any new PHA developments.

Why has it taken this long to explain to the membership what PHA is all about?
At the onset, June 2005, the AMAA was just introduced to the potential genetic defect problem. An immediate research program was set in motion. Notification was sent by letter to the entire membership in September 2005 with an introductory article in the October 2005 issue of the Voice. As facts were gathered, legal issues counseled and policy adopted by the AMAA Board of Directors, it became a reality the presentation of facts did not properly present itself until now.

Can the Maine-Anjou breed survive this battle?
Yes, without a doubt. Once we get the commercial test and breeders utilize common sense in their breeding schemes, over time the issue will take care of itself. The key to a quicker resolve of this issue is open communication and steady stream of documented information.

In closing the American Maine-Anjou Association realizes the potential harm a genetic abnormality can have on breeding program and a breed. But with an aggressive program of research, policy and follow up, the abnormality can be controlled and eventually eliminated. Please feel free to give me a call with any questions you may have on this important issue.

March/April 2006