Ichthyosis in Chianina cattle

Ichthyosis describes a heterogeneous group of keratinisation disorders, most of which are genetic in nature and affect both human beings and animals. It is characterised by an excessive amount of superficial scale on the skin, resembling the scales of a fish (Jones and others 1997). It is quite rare and can be present at birth or early in life (congenital), or, less frequently, it develops later in life (acquired). Recently several cases of ichthyosis in Chianina cattle were reported in the same herd. The present work describes the gross and histological features of ichthyosis in two newborn male Chianina calves with the same sire, and the determination of hereditary transmission of the disease in the familial group.