Congenital facial deformities, ascites and hepatic fibrosis in Romagnola calves.

The article discusses the findings of a series of punch calf cases in 23 Romagnola cattle examined between February 2003 and March 2007. Punch calf is a complex malformation characterized by facial deformities, enlarged fluid-filled abdomen, and hepatic fibrosis. The calves' genealogical evaluation showed common ancestors and inbreeding loops, which suggest a genetic etiology with convincing evidence that a single autosomal locus acting in a recessive manner regulated the defect.