The GeneSTAR®  BLACK test is a coat color test which is primarily used to identify if a Black animal contains two copies of the alleles for the Black coat gene, referred to as Homozygous Black. Today many Black coated animals will bring premiums in local markets compared to cattle of similar genetics but which are not black hided. Animals that are identified as Homozygous Black will pass one of their two black alleles to progeny producing a higher percentage of offspring that are also black hided.

     The GeneSTAR
® BLACK test looks at the color coat gene. The alleles for this gene can have three possible forms: ED=Black e=Red E+=Wild Type 

     One of these coat color alleles will be inherited from each of the animal’s parents creating the expression of coat color in this animal. Black is the dominant allele. Possible combinations are as follows: 

EDED = Homozygous Black 
EDe = Black Hided Animal, Red Carrier
ee = Red Hided Animal, Double Red Carrier
E+ED = Most Likely Black Hided Animal, Wild Type Carrier
E+e = Most Likely a Red Hided Animal, Wild Type Carrier
E+E+ = Wild Type Carrier, Any Color Possible


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