Abstract

The cause of the vertical fibre hide structure and the factors influencing its prevalence were studied in 362 Hereford cattle. The condition was diagnosed in 83 (22.9%) cattle and was not affected by the sex of the animal, the year and season of its birth, gestation period, birthweight, or the presence or absence of horns, nor by the age, parity and weight of the dam. Significant differences in the frequency of the condition were found in animals grouped according to their sires or dams and evidence was obtained that the condition was due to the presence, in a homozygous state, of an autosomal recessive gene.