Doenças hereditárias e defeitos congênitos diagnosticados em búfalos (bubalus bubalis) no brasil1

Abstract

A review on hereditary diseases and/or congenital defects diagnosed inwater buffaloes in Brazil is performed. The epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of each disease or group of diseases are briefly described. Hereditary diseases include acantholytic mechanobullous dermatosis, arthrogryposis, myotonia, hydranencephaly, chondrodysplasia, and albinism. Congenital defects of unknown cause include megaesophagus, heart defects(patent ductus arteriosus), dermatosparaxia, and different defects of the reproductive system. The breeds most affected by genetic diseases are those fromAsian Continent (Murrah and Jafarabadi), probably as a result of inbreedingin Brazilian herds due the prohibitionof importation of breeding buffalo from that continent. The diagnosis of two hereditary diseases, arthrogryposis and myotonia, in Rio Grande do Sul (southern Brazil) and Pará (nothern Brazil) suggests that the undesirable genes are widespread in the buffalo population. The identification of these genes by molecular techniques associated with the buffalo breeding with correct sanitary, zootechnical, and reproductive control practices can decrease the negative effects of genetic diseases in the Brazilian buffalo herd.