Albino

Quick Summary

The feline albino mutation is a rare mutation that produces a white coat with blue eyes, and is recessive to the sepia and Siamese mutations.

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Phenotype: The albino mutation produces a white coat with blue eyes.

Mode of Inheritance: Autosomal recessive

Alleles: N = Normal/non-albino, A = Albino

Breeds appropriate for testing: Tonkinese, Siamese, blue-eyed white cats of other breeds

Explanation of Results:

  • Cats with N/N genoytpe will not be albino and cannot transmit this albino variant to their offspring.
  • Cats with A/N genotype will not be albino, but are carriers. They will transmit this albino variant to 50% of their offspring. Matings between two carriers are predicted to produce 25% albino kittens.
  • Cats with A/A genotype will be albino, and will transmit this albino variant to all of their offspring. Matings between two A/A genotype cats are predicted to produce all albino kittens.

Price

$40 one test per animal

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.
Additional Details

Feline albinism is a rare inherited condition characterized by a lack of pigment resulting in cats with a white coat and blue eyes.

Two mutations in the Tyrosinase (TYR) gene produce the Burmese (sepia), Siamese, and mink colorpoint coat and eye color phenotypes in cats. A rare mutation in TYR (c.936delC) causes a shortened form of the TYR protein and produces an albino phenotype of a white coat with blue eyes. The albino mutation is recessive to the Burmese (cb) and Siamese(cs) mutations following the allelic series C>cb=cs>ca.

 

Note: The albino mutation is very rare in cats. Among 9229 cats tested by the VGL, only 4 (2 Tonkinese and 2 Siamese) were positive for this mutation. Because of its rarity, Albino has been removed from the coat color panel but will continue to be offered as a stand-alone test. If the genetic basis of a blue-eyed white cat is unknown to owners, we recommend first testing for Dominant White and White Spotting, before requesting the Albino test.
Type of Sample

Species

Cat
Type of Test
Coat Color and/or Type
Results Reported As
Test Result Albino
N/N No copies of albino allele are present.
A/N 1 copy of the albino allele is present.
A/A 2 copies of the albino allele are present. Cat is albino.
References

Imes, D. L., Geary, L. A., Grahn, R. A., & Lyons, L. A. (2006). Albinism in the domestic cat (Felis catus) is associated with a tyrosinase (TYR) mutation. Animal Genetics, 37(2), 175-178. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2005.01409.x