Factor XI is one of the plasma proteins essential for blood clotting. Deficiency of this protein is an inherited disorder that also occurs in Holstein-Friesian cattle breeds. Symptoms of the disorder include excessive bleeding, anemia, and increased susceptibility to infection. Phenotypically, they are also characterized by pink skin coloration. Animals affected by this defect can survive for many years without symptoms, but are more prone to mortality and morbidity than healthy individuals.
The resultant blood disorder caused by factor XI deficiency is a mutation on chromosome 27, leading to disruption of the nucleotide chain and the formation of the STOP codon. This prevents the formation of a protein of sufficient length and its efficient function.
Factor XI deficiency is a recessive disease. For an individual to show the characteristics of this disorder, its genotype must contain two alleles responsible for this defect. Carriers do not show symptoms of the disorder however, they may be prone to excessive hemorrhages.
| Result | Interpretation |
| XIS | SICK |
| XIC | CARRIER |
| XIF | FREE |
REFERENCES #
- Ghanem ME, Nishibori M, Nakao T, Nakatani K & Akita M. Factor XI mutation in a Holstein cow with repeat breeding in Japan. (2005). J Vet Med Sci. 67(7):713-5.
- Meydan H, Yildiz MA, Ozdil F, Gedik Y & Ozbeyaz C. Identification of factor XI deficiency in Holstein cattle in Turkey. (2009). Acta Vet Scand 22;51(1):5.