Donkey

In donkeys, the Dun coat is characterized by a diluted colour, often grey or light chestnut, accompanied by darker markings such as a dorsal stripe. Dun is a dominant trait: a single copy of the Dun allele is sufficient for the diluted coat colour to be expressed. In contrast, non-Dun donkeys have a non-diluted coat colour, such as black or chestnut. The genetic test determines whether the animal is Dun or non-Dun.

In donkeys, long hair is a recessive trait associated with variants in the FGF5 gene. Affected animals show prolonged hair growth, which can result in a long, thick and sometimes tangled coat in adulthood. Two variants, c.433_434delAT and c.245G>A, have been associated with this phenotype. The genetic test makes it possible to identify animals carrying these variants and to better predict the transmission of the long-hair trait to their offspring.

In donkeys, dominant white corresponds to complete depigmentation: the animal is born with a white coat, pink skin and dark eyes. A variant in the KIT gene, c.662A>C, was identified in a donkey showing this phenotype and is considered a candidate variant associated with dominant white. The genetic test can be used to detect this variant and identify animals that carry it. However, the available data remain preliminary, as this variant was observed in only one white donkey in the study.

In donkeys, red coat colour is associated with a recessive variant of the MC1R gene, known as the e allele. A donkey carrying two copies of this allele may have a red coat, with shades ranging from light red to reddish-brown. Animals carrying only one copy of the e allele do not show this red coat colour. The genetic test determines whether the animal carries the e allele and identifies its genotype for the red factor.