Microphthalmia

This recessive hereditary disease of the eye only occurs in the breed of Texel sheep. Afflicted lambs show clearly smaller eyes and are congenitally blind. They are unable to find and follow their mothers in the flock and therefore require individual care, which is usually elaborate and costly. Although carrier animals (MOC) are not affected, they can pass on the defect to their offspring: Mathematically, a quarter of the offspring from both carrier parents will become affected (MOA) and will be born blind. Even breeding of a carrier with a healthy partner will generate 50 % MOC carriers. The best way to keep your Texel flock healthy is to use genetically healthy sheep for breeding. Our MO test will help you with that at a low cost. A combination of Scrapie and MO test is available at a discount price.