Dilution of coat colour



Coat pigments are not changed by the dilute locus. The pigment for a black rabbit is identical to that of a blue. The same is true for a chocolate and a lilac and an Orange and a fawn.

The altered colours seen with the dilution gene is a result of an inhibited ability to transport the pigment from the melanocytes (pigment producing cells) to the keratinocytes, responsible for incorparation into the growing fur.

The "D" locus codes for a protein known as myosin 5a (Myo5a). Myo5a is responsible for Transporting pigment granulales. The "d" mutation results in a defective but not inactive form of myo5a.

Animals with this mutation will have less intensity of colour. For this reason Blue tans and lilac tans can never have the intensity of the tan coloured belly that is achieved with the Blacks and Chocolates.

Orange/red colour intensity can be improved in the presence of rufus modifiers but will not over come the inhibited transport of the dilute locus.