• Cause: unknown but suspected genetic mutation linked back to a single AI sire.

• Signs: abdominal distension, loss of condition, inappetence, collapse, non-responsive to treatment.
• Diagnosis: no specific diagnostic tools but clinical signs, combined with relationship to particular AI sire, warrants discussions with APHA.
• Treatment: none.
• Prognosis: poor.

ℹ️Gastroparesis syndrome is a condition that was first reported in the UK in 2022 and appears to be linked to a genetic mutation in a particular individual AI sire. Little is known about the condition as yet. The affected sire is no longer available for AI and has no sons in AI service.

ℹ️“Gastroparesis” is also a term used in human medicine to describe a different syndrome whereby delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction occurs. In humans it is believed to be a result of neuromuscular abnormalities of gastric motor function, but has been linked to diabetes.

• UK.

• Cases reported from 9-22 month old.

• Reported cases all in heifers, but this may be due to the predominance of heifers in the dairy industry.

• All cases so far have been traced back to a single Holstein-Friesian AI sire Holstein Friesian.

• Loss of heifer (and potentially calf too) and cost of failed treatment attempts and investigation.

• Suspected new genetic mutation Genetics and genomics.
• The exact cause is currently unknown, but it is hypothesized that a single AI sire carried a new mutation that resulted in the condition developing in approximately 25% of his offspring.

Specific

• Related to specific AI sire.

• As yet unknown.

• As yet unknown.

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Usai-Satta P, Bellini M, Morelli O et al (2022) Gastroparesis: New insights into an old disease. World Jour of Gastroenterol 26 (19), 2333-2348 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Animal & Plant Health Agency (2022) GB cattle quarterly report. Disease surveillance and emerging threats. Volume 34: Quarter 4 (October to December) 2202. Website: www.gov.uk (pdf download).
• Animal & Plant Health Agency (2022) GB cattle quarterly report. Disease surveillance and emerging threats. Volume 33: Quarter 3 (July to September) 2022. Website: www.gov.uk (pdf download).
• Animal & Plant Health Agency (2022) GB cattle quarterly report. Disease surveillance and emerging threats. Volume 32: Quarter 2 (April to June) 2022. Website: www.gov.uk (pdf download).

• Animal & Plant Health Agency. National Surveillance Network – Locations. Website: www.apha.defra.gov.uk