In a systematic necropsy study of 4408 newly born dead lambs derived from 79 flocks over two lambing seasons malformation considered sufficient to impair viability was observed in 80 carcasses. Agnathia was observed in 25 carcasses and comprised the major component of congenital lethal malformations. Lambs of both sexes were affected. Its occurrence was often associated with anotia, ear displacement, or ear malformation. Factors thought to be associated with this abnormality are reviewed and attention drawn to the lack of knowledge concerning the embryonic development of the first branchial arch and related structures in sheep. Developmental defects of the muscular and skeletal systems, central nervous system, cardiovascular system (particularly ventricular septal defects), and imperforate intestinal tract were the next most common malformations.
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Hughes et al. (1972) studied this question.