White Gloves
White Gloves
General description
The White Gloves variant in Birman cats causes the characteristic white paws that are considered a key breed feature. It is caused by an autosomal recessive variant in the KIT gene, meaning that cats need two copies to display the typical glove pattern.
Breeds
Birman (Sacred cat of Burma)
Order details
| Test number | 9136 |
| Sample material | 0.5 ml EDTA blood, 1x special swab (eNAT) |
| Test duration | 7-14 working days |
Test specifications
| Inheritance | autosomal recessive |
| Gene | KIT |
| Mutation | DELINS |
| Literature | OMIA:001580-9685 |
Detailed description
The characteristic ”white gloves” of the Birman are considered one of the defining features of this breed. The so called white gloves variant is responsible for the clearly defined white paws on both the front and hind legs, which are explicitly required in the breed standard. Symmetrical markings with clean borders are particularly desirable.
This appearance is caused by a genetic variant in the KIT gene. The variant influences the distribution of pigment cells during development, resulting in the paws remaining white. Inheritance is autosomal recessive. This means that a cat must inherit two copies of the variant in order to display the typical white gloves. Cats carrying only one copy are considered carriers and can pass the variant on to their offspring, although they do not show the trait themselves.
For breeders, genetic testing is particularly useful for planning matings and for better predicting the expression of the desired glove pattern.
The described KIT variant has also been identified in other cat breeds, particularly the Ragdoll. In this breed, however, it does not appear to be associated with white paws or a comparable glove pattern.
