Answer» What is Complex Vertebral Malformation mean?
Complex vertebral malformation or CVM is a lethal hereditary syndrome found in Holstein cattle. CVM is responsible for malformed calves that are either spontaneously aborted or die shortly after birth. It is caused by a missense mutation in the SLC35A3 gene. Since the mutant form of the gene is recessive, only individuals carrying two copies of the faulty gene (homozygous individuals) are affected. Heterozygous individuals, those who carry one copy of the faulty gene and one copy of the normal gene, have no symptoms but may still pass the disease on to their offspring.
