<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> In recent years, the knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms of skin, hair and eye colouration in vertebrates has significantly broadened. It was found that some of the identified coat colour genes show negative pleiotropic effect. They are associated with hereditary diseases, often of a lethal character. Most of these diseases have their counterparts in humans. There is no effective treatment for these diseases, therefore animal models can help to identify the genetic background of diseases and to develop appropriate treatment. Much less is known on the association of coat colour with animal performance. However, there are reports on the effect of coat colour on body measurements and milk production in subtropical environments. The knowledge on pleiotropic effects of coat colour genes is important for breeders who should be aware of the consequences of their decision on mating animals with given genotype.</p></abstract>

In recent years, the knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms of skin, hair and eye colouration in vertebrates has significantly broadened. It was found that some of the identified coat colour genes show negative pleiotropic effect. They are associated with hereditary diseases, often of a lethal character. Most of these diseases have their counterparts in humans. There is no effective treatment for these diseases, therefore animal models can help to identify the genetic background of diseases and to develop appropriate treatment. Much less is known on the association of coat colour with animal performance. However, there are reports on the effect of coat colour on body measurements and milk production in subtropical environments. The knowledge on pleiotropic effects of coat colour genes is important for breeders who should be aware of the consequences of their decision on mating animals with given genotype.

The Effect of a Coat Colour-Associated Genes Polymorphism on Animal Health – A Review

Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warszawa, Poland

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

In recent years, the knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms of skin, hair and eye colouration in vertebrates has significantly broadened. It was found that...

The Effect of a Coat Colour-Associated Genes Polymorphism on Animal Health – A Review

Published Online: Mar 03, 2015

Page range: 3 - 17

Received: Jun 12, 2014

Accepted: Jul 18, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2014-0066

© by Krystyna M. Charon

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.