Genetics in the diagnosis of bovine congenital porphyrinuria (pink tooth)

Abstract

A Shorthorn bull 7597 remotely related to a porphyrin carrier (Dr) bull (7015) and showing skin lesions of photosensitization from calfhood, was bred to two cows suffering from congenital porphyrinuria (pink tooth). Both calves born out of this mating are clinically normal. The bull died from heartwater or haemoglobinuria induced by Uleron treatment for heartwater. Histologically no undoubted evidence of porphyria was recognised. Chemically no porphyrins were found in the bones and no uroporphyrin in the urine. The teeth are not discoloured. This chemical and histological evidence tends to confirm the genetical evidence that this animal is not a porphyrin sufferer, or, if it is, it must be a very unusual and atypical case of porphyria.