The genetic influence on serum haemolytic complement levels in cattle

Abstract

Total serum haemolytic complement (HC) activity has been determined in 130 young bulls of the Norwegian Red Cattle Breed (NRF). A highly significant sire effect (p less than 0.01) on HC with a corresponding heritability of about 0.75 was estimated. Evidence of any simple mode of inheritance is not produced but the distribution patterns of HC indicate influences of relatively few genes.