Pearl (Dilution factor Horse)
The Pearl mutation lightens the coat, mane and tail colour of the horse. It is visually very similar to champagne dilution and is located on the same gene as the cream dilution factor. The Pearl mutation is mainly found in Quarter Horses, Paints and related breeds.
General Information
- Pearl is a dilution factor which is also known as the “Barlink Factor”.
- Dilution affects coat as well as mane and tail.
- Phenotype is very similar to the Champagne dilution.
- Causal mutation affects the same gene as the Cream mutation.
- Mainly found in Quarter Horses, Paint Horses and related breeds.
Test Information
Locus Information: C locus (Cream)
This test detects the single base pair change in the SLC45A2 gene.
Genotype and Lab Report
Inheritance: autosomal recessive
→ Only animals with two copies of the Pearl factor (prl/prl) or animals with one copy “Pearl” in combination with one copy “Cream” (Cr/prl) show the Pearl dilution.
Genotype
N/N = No Pearl mutation
The horse does not show the diluted coat colour.
N/prl = One copy of the Pearl variant
The horse does not show the diluted coat colour.
prl/prl oder prl/Cr = Two copies of the Pearl variant or One copy of the Pearl variant with one copy of the Cream variant
The horse does show the Pearl dilution. Phenotype depends on base colour. The colour is visually very similar to champagne dilution and to a horse with double cream dilution.
Literature
Penedo, C. et al. (2011). A mutation in SLC45A2 is associated with pearl coat color dilution in the horse. The 9th Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Foundaition International Equine Genome Mapping Workshop, July 27-29, Minneapolis, MN.
Sevane, N., Sanz, C.R., Dunner, S., Sevane, N., Sanz, C.R., Dunner, S.: Explicit evidence for a missense mutation in exon 4 of SLC45A2 gene causing the pearl coat dilution in horses. Anim Genet 50:275-278, 2019. Pubmed reference: 30968968. DOI: 10.1111/age.12784.
Further information is available at Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals.