HEREDITARY DISTAL FORELEG CURVATURE IN THE RABBIT

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Abstract
An inher-ited skeletal abnormality of the rabbit in which the lower segment of the foreleg was curved permanently has been described in the preceding paper. This curious condition developed during the period of active bony growth and the bowing was well defined as early as at 6 weeks of age. The convexity of the curvature was directed inward toward the body and the paws assumed a flipper or seal-like position. From the results of physical and x-ray examinations it was found that the distal epiphyseal cartilage of the ulna was the site primarily affected and changes elsewhere appeared to be secondary to or have resulted from the ulnar lesion. The progressive development of the ulnar lesion up to 2 to 3 months of age was followed by comparatively rapid regression of it with healing at 3 to 4 months of age. The deformity was noted in the early days of the rabbit colony long studied in The Rockefeller Institute. It was first observed in the offspring of pure bred Beveren rabbits and almost at the same time in certain families of pure bred Belgian and French Silver rabbits. The familial character of its distribution was noted again after several years when another example was observed in the progeny of recently purchased pure bred Dutch rabbits. That the abnormality had in fact a herediatry basis was soon evident and the results of breeding tests showed that all offspring of affected parents likewise developed the deformity. The results of further studies on the genetic aspects of the abnormality as obtained from F1, F2, and backcross test breeding experiments are described in the present report. It also contains the observations made at postmortem examination and the results of the microscopic study of representative organs and tissues, particularly those of the foreleg bones.

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