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Discrepancies between Genetic and Visual Coat Color Assignment in Sarcidano Horse
Maria Consuelo Mura1, Vincenzo Carcangiu1, Giovanni Cosso2
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
Insights
Genetic testing revealed significant discrepancies in coat color identification for Sarcidano Horses. Many visually identified bays were genetically black, highlighting the need for accurate genetic analysis in breed registration.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Equine Science
- Coat Color Genetics
Background:
- Accurate coat color identification is crucial for equine breed registration and genetic studies.
- Phenotypic assignment of coat color can be subjective and influenced by various factors.
- The Sarcidano Horse breed's coat color distribution requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate discrepancies between genetic and visual coat color assignments in Sarcidano Horses.
- To identify potential reasons for observed coat color misassignments.
- To assess the accuracy of coat color prediction in offspring based on visual identification.
Main Methods:
- DNA was extracted from 90 Sarcidano Horses for genetic coat color analysis.
- Genes MC1R exon 1 and ASIP exon 3 were genotyped and sequenced.
- Genetic coat color results were compared with phenotypic data from individual horse records.
Main Results:
- A significant non-correspondence between phenotypic and genetic coat color data was observed.
- Genetically, Chestnuts (58) were most common, followed by Blacks (28) and Bays (4).
- Phenotypically, there were 38 Chestnuts, 40 Bays, 2 Blacks, and 10 Grays; many visual Bays were genetically Black.
Conclusions:
- Visual coat color identification in Sarcidano Horses is unreliable and can lead to misregistration.
- Factors such as age, season, and environment may influence phenotypic expression, causing discrepancies.
- Accurate genetic coat color analysis is essential for reliable breed registration and predicting offspring coat color.
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies between genetic and visual coat color assignment in the Sarcidano Horse and to elucidate potential reasons. Individual DNA from 90 Sarcidano Horses was used for genetic assignment of coat color to explore the correspondence with individual forms containing phenotypical traits. The MC1R exon 1 and ASIP exon 3 have been genotyped and sequenced to obtain a picture of the coat color distribution in this breed. Surprisingly, once we compared the genetic results with the individual forms reporting the phenotypic data for each subject, a certain degree of non-correspondence between the phenotypic and genetic data in relation to coat color emerged. From the genetic analysis, Chestnuts (n = 58) resulted the most common Sarcidano Horse (n = 58), followed by a quite large number of Blacks (n = 28) and a very small number of Bays (n = 4), whereas phenotypic distribution resulted in 38 Chestnuts, 40 Bays, only 2 Blacks, and 10 Grays (without the possibility of recognizing the true color they carried). Chestnut resulted a very representative coat color, while many horses that visually identified as Bays were genetically Blacks. This discrepancy, that could be due to a variety of individual and external factors, including age, time of year, living situation and dietary condition, suggesting the importance of accurate coat color identification to ensure adequate features registration and reliable prediction of offspring's coat color.
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