E locus / MC1R (Melanocortin)
$55.00
About this test
E locus / MC1R (Melanocortin)
This test targets polymorphisms in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) at the E locus.
Breeders use E-locus zygosity information to select breeding stock and mating pairs, specifically to reduce
the risk of carrying ‘non-extended-black’ (wild-type or alternative) alleles that could reappear as unwanted plumage patterns in future generations
Possible Results:
– Extended Black / homozygous
– Extended Black carrier / heterozygous
– Extended Black with suppression marker present
– Not Extended Black detected + known eumelanin dilution/inhibition variant**
– No-call: need retest
Function: Switches melanocytes to produce eumelanin (black/brown) instead of phaeomelanin (red/yellow).
In Ayam Cemani/Silkies: The MC1R Extended Black presence ensures that feathers and body are saturated with black pigment. Together with the fibromelanosis duplication (EDN3), it amplifies both the presence and intensity of blackness. Without the MC1R Extended Black, tissues would remain dark (from fibromelanosis), but feathers and overall eumelanin coverage would be weaker.
**Known eumelanin dilution/inhibition variants currently include published causal alleles in genes such as PMEL (Dominant White/Dun/Smoky), and other color-dilution loci.
How to collect samples
Please, check our
instructional videos
on how to collect samples