The Inheritance of Color in Shorthorn Cattle A Study in Somatic Blends Accompanying Gametic Segregation and Intra-Zygotic Inhibition and Reaction

Roan coat color in livestock

“…Following a co‐dominant inheritance, there are several phenotypes present in both breeds: (i) spotted‐black in the Belgian Blue and solid red in Shorthorn, when the r allele is present in a homozygous state; (ii) a white phenotype, when the animals are homozygous for the alternative R allele; and (iii) roan, respectively blue, with white hair intermingling colored hair for the Rr genotype (Charlier et al, 1996; Laughlin, 1911; Wright, 1917). The amount of white hair can vary enormously between individuals from only a few white hairs to a nearly solid white coat (Jones, 1947; Laughlin, 1911). Therefore, identification of the correct coat color phenotype might be challenging and the presence of additional modifiers cannot be excluded (Jones, 1947).…”