Bengal Coat Color Panel

Description

This Bengal coat color panel bundles together several genetic tests for cat coat colors and includes a test for the charcoal coloration specific to the Bengal breed.

Panel can be purchased on MyVGL. See below for pricing and list of specific tests included in panel.

Turnaround time

At least 15 business days; may be delayed beyond 15 business days if sample requires additional testing, or a new sample is requested.

$57 per animal

Order Test

Tests in this Panel
Instructions

Agouti

The agouti signaling protein interacts with the melanocortin 1 receptor to switch between black and red pigments, creating a banding pattern in individual hairs. Mutations in the agouti signaling protein gene (ASIP) prevent this switch from occurring, resulting in hairs of uniform color.

Colorpoint Restriction

Cats with colored 'points' have genetic mutations associated with temperature-sensitive pigment production. Pigment production is reduced in warmer areas of the body, leading to darker pigmentation in the cat's cooler extremities (paws, ears, etc.)

Amber Coloration in Norwegian Forest Cats

In Norwegian Forest Cats, a recessive mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene leads to the gradual replacement of black pigment in the coat with yellow pigment, producing the amber coloration.

Dilute

Dilute is an autosomal recessive trait that causes clumping and uneven distribution of pigment granules in the hair shaft, producing dilution of all coat colors.

Brown (Chocolate and Cinnamon)

Cats with brown gene variants have reduced amounts of black pigment and appear brownish in color.

Charcoal Pattern in Bengals

Charcoal Bengals sport an unusual coat marking of a darker face mask and dark thick dorsal stripe ("cape"). This “charcoal” pattern is produced by the combination of a domestic cat non-agouti variant and an Asian Leopard Cat agouti variant.

Cat DNA tests are carried out using cells brushed from your cat's cheeks and gums using household cotton swabs.

The cat DNA submission form with instructions and a place to tape the cotton swabs is sent to you via email after you place an order, and can be printed from your home computer. DNA test kits are no longer mailed.

Instructions

Step-By-Step:

1.

Person looking at different brands of cotton swabs in a store Purchase regular household cotton swabs for cat DNA collection (the cotton swabs can be purchased at a pharmacy or drug store)

2.

Three Bengal kittens

Make sure the cat has not had anything to eat or drink for at least 1 hour prior to collecting sample.
When swabbing kittens, isolate each kitten from the mother, littermates and any shared toys for 1 hour prior to swabbing. Kittens should not have nursed or eaten for 1 hour prior to collecting sample.

If collecting samples from more than one cat, make sure to sample one cat at a time and wash your hands before swabbing another cat.

3.

Label indicating both ends of the two cotton swabs Use both ends of the two cotton swabs for a total of four swabs.

4.

Place the cotton head of the swab between the cat’s gums and cheek and rub or rotate the swab back and forth for 15 seconds. Repeat with each cotton swab head, for a total of 4 swabs. We recommend swabbing a different area of the gums with each swab head.

5.

Wave the swab in the air for 10-15 seconds to air dry it before attaching it to the submission form.

6.

Cotton swabs taped to bar-coded submission form for VGL After swabbing the cheek and gums, tape the cotton swabs to the bar-coded submission form printed from your MyVGL account.

ATTENTION:

Do not collect saliva/drool – the key to obtaining a good sample is getting cheek cells on the swab.
Do not rub swab on the cat’s tongue or teeth – this will result in poor quality sample.
Do not collect a sample from a kitten that has recently nursed – the mother’s genetic material can rub off on the kitten’s mouth and contaminate the sample.

Type of Sample

Cotton Swab

Species

Cat

Breed

Bengal Savannah Cat Serval

Type of Panel

Coat Color and/or Type