Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Melanocortin 1 Receptor gene are linked with lightness of fibre colour in Peruvian Alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

Melanocortin 1 receptor (alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor) (MC1R) is a gene-controlling melanogenesis in mammals. However, it is not well characterized in alpacas and its association with colour is not known. The aim of this study was to look for polymorphisms in the MC1R gene in Peruvian Huacaya alpacas and to analyse the relationship between MC1R single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the variations in the instrumental measurement of colour of alpaca fibre. Sixty alpaca fibre samples from black, brown, cream and white animals (15 for each colour) were used to extract DNA from hair bulbs. Colour was measured with a spectrophotometer to obtain quantitative values (CieLab*). Sixteen samples, four of each colour group, were sequenced. Eighteen SNP mutations, 10 not previously described, were found in these 16 sequences. Three of them were chosen (c.82A>G, c.865C>T, c.901C>T) to analyse genotypes by PCR-RFLP in the other 44 fibre samples and to determine the association of mutations with instrumental colour. These three polymorphisms showed association with fibre lightness (P < 0.05), although there was no correlation with colour groups.