Description

The cream dilution gene controls the amount of base color dilution of a horse's coat. This gene has a dosage effect where a heterozygous cream dilution horse will have a lesser effect when compared to a homozygous cream dilution horse. Heterozygous cream dilution producing buckskins, smoky blacks, and palominos and homozygous cream dilution producing cremellos, perlinos, and smoky creams. Cream dilution has been linked to a mutation (in this case a SNP) in the MATP gene and subsequently, a genetic test has been developed that tests for the presence of this mutation. There are other genes that may have an effect similar to Cream dilution but will not be detected by this test.

Cream Dilution Testing

Animal Genetics offers DNA testing for the MATP gene mutation responsible for cream dilution.

Cost

$25.00 US per test.

Collect sample by pulling (not cutting) 20-30 mane or tail hairs with roots attached. It is important that you pull the hairs and confirm that the actual root of the hair is being collected. The root contains the genetic material of your horse that is needed for DNA testing. Therefore, cut hair do not provide an adequate sample of your horse. Place the collected hairs of each horse in a separate zip-lock bag labeling the bags accordingly with the horses name or identification number. Download and complete a submission form for each sample and send along with payment to Animal Genetics for testing.

Results

Results are given using the following symbolic notation: