Coat colour Cream dilution / Cremello / Pearl (SLC45A2-related) - Horse

What does this analysis test?

This genetic analysis tests two important SLC45A2 variants that can dilute coat colour in horses: the Cream/Cr allele and the Pearl/Prl allele. Together, these variants are relevant for colour names such as cream, palomino, buckskin, smoky black, cremello, perlino, smoky cream, pearl and cream pearl.

For owners and breeders, this is not just a theoretical colour test. Cream and Pearl can look similar in some combinations, can be hidden, and can produce unexpected foal colours when combined with other coat-colour genes. The test helps support colour expectations with DNA evidence rather than relying only on appearance, pedigree or assumptions.

What do Cream and Pearl mean?

The Cream allele is autosomal incomplete dominant. One copy can clearly dilute red pigment and, depending on the base colour, can produce palomino, buckskin or smoky black. Two copies create a double dilution, such as cremello, perlino or smoky cream.

The Pearl allele is recessive. One Pearl copy is often not visible, so a horse can carry it unnoticed. Two Pearl copies can produce a pearl colour. A combination of one Cream allele and one Pearl allele can produce a light, glossy cream pearl or pseudo-double-dilute colour.

Practical value of this test

• The result helps breeders plan deliberately for colours such as palomino, buckskin, cremello, perlino, smoky cream, pearl or cream pearl.
• Hidden Pearl carriers can be identified, even when the horse itself does not show an obvious diluted coat colour.
• The test helps explain unexpected foal colours and reduces the chance that important colour information is missed.
• For sale, registration or breeding advice, a DNA result makes colour expectations more transparent than visual assessment alone.
• Interaction with E locus, A locus and other dilution genes can be interpreted more accurately when Cream and Pearl status are known.

Inheritance and result

Cream is reported as N/N, N/Cr or Cr/Cr. Pearl is reported as N/N, N/Prl or Prl/Prl. A horse with N/Cr and N/Prl can produce a cream pearl colour. The final visible colour still depends on the base colour and other coat-colour genes.