R609 Cholesterol Deficiency (CD)

Cholesterol deficiency (CD) is a genetic disorder found in Holstein cattle. The disorder impacts lipid metabolism that leads to chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive and eventually to the premature death of young calves. Calves affected by CD typically die within 3 weeks to 6 months of age, displaying significantly low cholesterol levels (severe hypocholesterolemia). These low cholesterol levels are caused by a mutation in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene, which plays a vital role in transporting fat molecules, including cholesterol, throughout the body and into cells.