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The Occurrence of Polythelia in Dairy Cattle^*

Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbia, Missouri

ABSTRACT

The frequency of occurrence and pattern distribution of supernumerary teat observed on 4831 female and 135 male dairy cattle have been compiled and reported. For the females, 25.8 per cent exhibited the polythelial condition. The caudal, intercalary and ramal supernumeraries were observed and were classified in 36 different patterns. The caudal type was by far the most common type observed since approximately 95 per cent of all females possessing the extra teats were of this type. Only 14.07 per cent of the males had one or more supernumeraries and these were classified in three patterns. One individual was observed with only three rudimen-taries.

Data of similar investigations made by European workers and others have been compiled. On the average the frequency of occurrence of the polythelial condition found in the American breeds studied were less than that reported for the European breeds.

^* Contribution from the Department of Dairy Husbandry, Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 378.