Association of major histocompatibility complex antigens (BOLA‐A) with AI bull progeny test results for mastitis, ketosis and fertility in Norwegian Cattle

Abstract

Altogether 424 Norwegian AI bulls, progeny tested for clinical mastitis, ketosis and fertility (recorded as nonreturn percentage), were typed by Edinburgh and Oslo allo-antisera to bovine lymphocyte antigens (BoLA-A) over a 7-year period. Significant effects of BoLA-A on disease were revealed. A2 was associated with relative resistance to mastitis, a positive influence on fertility, and a possible relative resistance to ketosis, while A13 was associated with relative resistance to ketosis. The previously reported associations of A11 and w16 with relative susceptibility to mastitis were not confirmed in the present material.