CombiBreed Coat Colour and Type – Alpaca

Coat colour in alpacas is a complex trait influenced by multiple geness. The same genotype can sometimes result in different coat colours due to interactions between genes and other modifying factors.

The S408 Coat Colour Package includes testing of the E-locus (MC1R), A-locus (ASIP) and Classic Grey (KIT), covering genetic variants involved in base coat colour, pigment distribution and the expression of the Classic Grey phenotype.

The package includes testing for variants in the MC1R (E-locus) and ASIP (A-locus) genes, which influence pigment production and distribution and contribute to the alpaca’s base coat colour. It also includes testing for the Classic Grey (KIT) mutation, which is associated with the characteristic grey coat pattern and the Blue-Eyed White (BEW) phenotype. BEW alpacas may have an increased risk of congenital sensorineural deafness.

Individual test results are provided for each genetic variant tested. In addition, the report includes genotype interpretations for the A-locus (ASIP), the combined A-locus and E-locus, and the E-locus (MC1R), where a conclusion can be drawn from the test results. In some cases, a definitive genotype interpretation may not be possible.

By testing multiple genetic loci, this package provides a more comprehensive insight into the genetic factors influencing coat colour. The results can support breeders in understanding coat colour inheritance and making informed breeding decisions. However, additional genetic factors influencing coat colour may still be discovered.

This test does not determine haplotypes. Therefore, certain combinations of genetic variants cannot always be resolved into a single genotype. In such cases, results may be reported as ambiguous genotypes, for example, ‘Ee or ee.’

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