Sire Dun Chestnut on dam Gray Palomino
In this article, we will explore the genetic possibilities of coat colors for the crossing between a stallion Dun Chestnut and a mare Gray Palomino. Equine genetics is a universe of combinations where dominant and recessive alleles determine the final coat of each individual.
On one side, we have the stallion Dun Chestnut. Genetically, it presents the base genotype e/e D/n. The Dun gene acts on the base color, adding the characteristic dark dorsal stripe. In some cases it lightens the body tone and may also produce zebra-like leg markings. This coat is based on Chestnut.
On the other side, the mare Gray Palomino contributes with its genetics based on e/e Cr/n G/n. The (G) gene acts on the base coat promoting progressive lightening throughout the horse's life until reaching very pale or completely white tones. This coat is based on Palomino.
Quando combinamos esses códigos genéticos, criamos uma matriz de probabilidades. É importante lembrar que o resultado visual (fenótipo) muitas vezes esconde genes recessivos que podem pular uma geração.
The Genotypes Involved
For a horse to have the coat Dun Chestnut. it carries specific gene combinations. The possible genotypes for the sire include variants such as: e/e A/A D/n, e/e A/A D/D, e/e A/a D/n, e/e A/a D/D, e/e a/a D/n, e/e a/a D/D.
As for the dam, being Gray Palomino, may present in its DNA the alleles: e/e A/A Cr/n G/n, e/e A/A Cr/n G/G, e/e A/a Cr/n G/n, e/e A/a Cr/n G/G, e/e a/a Cr/n G/n, e/e a/a Cr/n G/G.
Understanding the Alleles
To understand the result of this crossing, note the gene sets at play:
- e/e (Red Factor - Homozygous Recessive): Determines the inability to produce black pigment, resulting in an exclusively red base coat (Chestnut).
- A/ (Agouti - Dominant): The Agouti gene controls black distribution. The A allele restricts black pigment to the points (mane, tail, legs).
- a/a (Non-Agouti - Recessive): Allows black pigment to spread uniformly across the body. Essential for Solid Black (if E/).
- Cr/n (Heterozygous Cream): One copy of the dilution allele. Lightens red pigment to gold (e.g. Palomino, Buckskin).
- D/ (Dun - Primitive Gene): Dilutes body color and adds dorsal stripe and leg barring.
- G/ (Grey - Tordilho): Causes progressive greying. It is epistatic (covers other colors).
Calculated Probabilities
Being the sire Dun Chestnut with genotype (e/e A/A D/n), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele to 100% of offspring, restricting black pigment to the extremities and has a 50% chance of transmitting the primitive Dun allele (D).
Being the sire Dun Chestnut with genotype (e/e A/A D/D), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele to 100% of offspring, restricting black pigment to the extremities and always transmits the primitive Dun allele (D).
Being the sire Dun Chestnut with genotype (e/e A/a D/n), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele (restriction) to 50% and the (a) allele (no restriction) to the other 50% and has a 50% chance of transmitting the primitive Dun allele (D).
Being the sire Dun Chestnut with genotype (e/e A/a D/D), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele (restriction) to 50% and the (a) allele (no restriction) to the other 50% and always transmits the primitive Dun allele (D).
Being the dam Gray Palomino with genotype (e/e A/A Cr/n G/n), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele to 100% of offspring, restricting black pigment to the extremities and has a 50% chance of transmitting the Cream dilution allele (Cr) and has a 50% chance of transmitting the Grey allele (G).
Being the dam Gray Palomino with genotype (e/e A/A Cr/n G/G), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele to 100% of offspring, restricting black pigment to the extremities and has a 50% chance of transmitting the Cream dilution allele (Cr) and always transmits the Grey allele (G).
Being the dam Gray Palomino with genotype (e/e A/a Cr/n G/n), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele (restriction) to 50% and the (a) allele (no restriction) to the other 50% and has a 50% chance of transmitting the Cream dilution allele (Cr) and has a 50% chance of transmitting the Grey allele (G).
Being the dam Gray Palomino with genotype (e/e A/a Cr/n G/G), it transmits the (e) allele to 100% of offspring, allowing only red pigment expression (phaeomelanin) and transmits the (A) allele (restriction) to 50% and the (a) allele (no restriction) to the other 50% and has a 50% chance of transmitting the Cream dilution allele (Cr) and always transmits the Grey allele (G).
Based on a standard scenario, the statistical chances for foals from this crossing are:
Gray Dun PalominoOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
Dun PalominoOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
Gray PalominoOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
PalominoOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
Gray Dun ChestnutOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
Dun ChestnutOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
Gray ChestnutOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
ChestnutOpen Coat ➜ 12,5%
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