Evaluation of the presence of leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) disease in Holstein cows in Iranian sperm production stations

One of the problems of sperm production stations and breeding centers is the death of calves. Male bulls that are used in artificial insemination, despite their natural appearance, may have mutated genes. Among these genetic defects can be BLAD, which is a Autosomal recessive genetic disease is caused by a defect in the surface glycoproteins of leukocytes known as integrins. These proteins are responsible for the cell-cell binding reaction that is required for neutrophils to attach to the endothelial network and enter tissues and repel pathogen attacks. And they usually disappear before the age of one. So far, the disease has been seen in Holstein cows, so sperm and embryos need to be screened before use. In order to identify the presence of BLAD disease gene in some bulls in the country, the study of biological samples of 230 bulls in Iranian sperm production stations was evaluated. For this study, primers with lengths of 18 and 29 nucleotides were used to amplify the bp58 fragment and to investigate the presence of the mutant. After observing the 58 bp fragment for the presence or absence of mutations in the PCR product, TaqI and HaeIII enzymes were used by RFLP method. With careful planning and control and identification of mutated alleles, it is possible to eliminate this disease in Iran.