Dun gene test snafu?

[DianneC]

After waiting with eagerness for a test for the dun gene there seems to be some problems. I picked this up from the dungenes group on Yahoo: "Note: The marker association for the Dun gene in the Spanish and Portuguese horse breeds is still under research. At this time, we are not offering Dun zygosity testing for PRE, Andalusians, Lusitanos and the gaited breeds (Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso). Owners of Dun horses from either of these breeds interested to help with the Dun research project should contact Dr. Cecilia Penedo." Which seems to be a direct quote from UC Davis.
There was previous information that hair samples from the sire and dam of whatever horse was being tested would be required to perform the test. Hmmm... I'll try to find out more.

[kigerfan]

Would it help them any if we sent samples from our dun Kigers?

[spanishsagegrullas]

Here is the entire information as offered by UC Davis on their web site.

It is www.vgl.ucdavis.edu

Apparently, the test is quite like the tobiano test that was out. They have not found the gene, only markers associated with the gene, or that they say with confidence are associated with the gene.

Via personal communication, Dr. Penedo includes Kigers in with the breeds she lists that have the markers in a manner consistent enough that they can come to a conclusion via this test.

Diane P
Spanish Sage Ranch





Customer Service Phone: [phone] or email Services
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Dun Dilution


Dun is a dominant gene that dilutes the color of body hair, leaving the points and head unaffected. Dun adds "primitive markings" consisting of a dark dorsal stripe, leg barring, shoulder stripes and concentric marks on the forehead (spiderwebbing, cobwebbing). The dorsal stripe appears to be a consistent feature of dun horses while the other "primitive marks" vary and may not all be present, or visible. The effect of the Dun gene on the base colors of chestnut, bay and black produces horses with shades that range from apricot, golden, dark gray, olive, and many, more subtle, variations. Dun is inherited independently of other coat color genes and can occur in combination with any other genes that modify the base colors. Dun dilution is present in many breeds of horses including Quarter Horses, Paints, Appaloosas, Icelandic Horses, Norwegian Fjords and many of the pony breeds. The names assigned to the various Dun colors vary by breed. For additional information on Dun, D. Phillip Sponenberg's Equine Color Genetics has descriptions, names and photos for these colors.

Dun Zygosity Testing

The specific mutation that causes Dun has not yet been identified, and there is no direct test for the gene. VGL has identified DNA markers associated with Dun that can be used to determine if a horse has the Dun gene and how many copies. The Dun Zygosity analysis is not a direct DNA test, so the following additional materials should be included to provide the most complete analysis:


1. Photos of the subject horse

2. A hair sample pulled from the mane or tail of one or both parents of the subject horse

3. Three generation pedigree with colors and patterns listed


If a sample from a parent is not provided, the analysis may not be conclusive for the presence/absence of the Dun gene.

Note: The Dun zygosity test is not being offered at this time for PREs, Andalusians, Lusitanos, Paso Fino and Peruvian Paso. The marker association with the Dun gene in these breeds is still under research. Owners of Dun horses from these breeds interested in helping with the research should contact Customer Service

For forms, pricing and mailing information please see the Submission Instructions.

[DianneC]

Thanks Diane! The three generation pedigree may be difficult. LOL

[Michelle Clarke]

Thanks Diane for sharing the info! This will greatly help with the "black" Kigers as well as some bays and perfect for my crossbreds that also carry the creme gene as way of proof...