DNA panel of phenotypic traits applicable to all cat breeds, which determines the main genetic coat colour variants: agouti (banded or solid hair), chocolate, cinnamon, colourpoint (Siamese and Burmese variants) and dilution. It does not detect pathological variants: all the traits included are aesthetic. It is performed from a buccal swab or blood and allows the expected colours in each mating to be predicted. It is useful in any breeding programme, especially with rare colours or combined patterns.

Allele frequencies vary greatly between breeds: for example, the colourpoint allele is fixed in the Siamese and dilution is very frequent in numerous breeds. Universal population data are limited; the relevant figure is the internal frequency of each breeding programme.

- Agouti: banded hair and tabby pattern versus non-agouti (solid coat)\n- Chocolate and cinnamon: chocolate brown and cinnamon reddish coats\n- Colourpoint: Siamese (cs), Burmese (cb) or mink (heterozygote cs/cb) pattern\n- Dilution: blue and cream tones\n- None of the variants produces clinical signs

Cat colour genetics was systematised through classical inheritance studies throughout the 20th century. At the molecular level, the colourpoint variants (Siamese cs and Burmese cb) were associated with mutations in the TYR gene in 2005 (Lyons et al.), which explains the albino series of the species; Imes et al. (2006) later described the complete albinism mutation (c). Dilution was associated with the MLPH gene (Ishida 2006), the chocolate and cinnamon colours with alleles of the TYRP1 gene (Lyons 2005; Schmidt-Küntzel 2005) and the agouti pattern with the ASIP gene (Eizirik 2003). These findings made it possible to design universal DNA tests applicable to all breeds.

- Mate freely animals of any colour genotype: no health restriction applies\n- Use the genotypes to predict litter colours, especially in combined patterns (for example, diluted colourpoint)\n- Remember that a cat with a tabby pattern may carry the non-agouti allele (solid coat): only the test reveals it\n- Always prioritise health and temperament over colour in selection

The cs and cb alleles of the TYR gene belong to the same albino series and their combination in heterozygosity (cs/cb) produces the mink phenotype. A higher frequency of convergent strabismus and nystagmus associated with the cs allele is described in some lines, without relevant health impact. These results have no clinical implication.

1. Lyons LA et al. 2005. Tyrosinase mutations associated with Siamese and Burmese patterns in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Anim Genet. PMID: 15771720. 2. Lyons LA et al. 2005. Chocolate coated cats: TYRP1 mutations for brown color in domestic cats. Mamm Genome. PMID: 16104383. 3. Schmidt-Küntzel A et al. 2005. Tyrosinase and tyrosinase related protein 1 alleles specify domestic cat coat color phenotypes of the albino and brown loci. J Hered. PMID: 15858157. 4. Eizirik E et al. 2003. Molecular genetics and evolution of melanism in the cat family. Curr Biol. PMID: 12620197. 5. Ishida Y et al. 2006. A homozygous single-base deletion in MLPH causes the dilute coat color phenotype in the domestic cat. Genomics. PMID: 16860533. 6. Imes DL et al. 2006. Albinism in the domestic cat (Felis catus) is associated with a tyrosinase (TYR) mutation. Anim Genet. PMID: 16573534. 7. Lyons LA. 2015. DNA mutations of the cat: the good, the bad and the ugly. J Feline Med Surg. PMID: 25701860. OMIA:000202-9685, OMIA:001249-9685, OMIA:000201-9685, OMIA:000031-9685.