Tibial Hemimelia in catle is a congenital syndrome in Galloway Calves and can cause defects such as nonfusion of the Mullarian ducts in female calves, cryptorchidism in male calves, and in both sexes cranioschisis, meningocele, internal hydrocephalus, bilateral agenesis or shortening of the tibia, bilateral agenesis of the patella.
A 20 bp duplication in exon 2 of the aristaless-like homeobox 4 gene (ALX4) is the candidate causative mutation for tibial hemimelia syndrome in Galloway cattle.
The Galloway is a Scottish breed of beef cattle, named after the Galloway region of Scotland, where it originated during the seventeenth century.
It is usually black, is of average size, is naturally polled and has a thick coat suitable for the harsh climate of Scotland.
It is reared mainly for beef.