Male and Female Calico Cats
Genetic contributions and the Klinefelter Syndrome in males
by Matt Rudie
- Female Calico Cat Genotype
- X-Inactivation Video
- Male Cats Genotype
- Male Calico Cats and Klinefelter Syndrome
- History and Effects Klinefelter Syndrome
Female Calico Cat Genotype
- Fur color caused by two alleles on X chromosome Xo=black and XO=orange
- Female (XX) can be all black all orange or a mix of the two if heterozygous
- Pattern of calico fur patches caused by inactivation of one of the X chromosomes randomly in a process known as lyonization
- Some orange fur genes are inactivated and code for black and vice versa
- White Fur results when color pigment is not expressed
Male Cat Genotype
- Male Genotype XY
- Can be either Black (XoY) or Orange (XOY)
- Possible to get a male calico?
Male Calico Cat and Klinefelter Syndrome
- Only possible if genotype coded for more than one fur color
- Calico male cats are resulting from a genetic anomoly known as Klinefelter Syndrome
- Genotype is XXY allowing for one X to code for orange and one code for black, producing the calico fur pattern commonly seen only in females.
- XXY genotype can occur during Meiosis 1 when homologous chromosomes seperate
- Only problem is one of the chromosomes does not separate creating a XY germ cell
History and effects of Klinefelter Syndrome
- Discovered in 1942 by Harry Klinefelter
- Once believed to be caused by endocrine malfunction
- Occurs when homologous chromosomes fail to separate during meiosis 1
- Results in reduced levels of testosterone, incomplete puberty, breast enlargement, infertility, risk of breast cancer, and delayed speech and language development
- Often causes social problems among children afflicted with the disease
Opinion
References
Bojesen, A. and C. H. Gravholt . 2007. Klinefelter syndrome in clinical practice. Nature Reviews Urology 4:192-204
Bojesen, A. and C. H. Gravholt. 2011. Morbidity and Mortality in Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY). Acta Pediatrica 100:807-813
Centerwall, W. R. and K. Benirschke. 1972. Male tortoiseshell and calico (C-T) cats. The Journal of Heredity 64:272-278
Lyle, S. K. 2007. Disorders of Sexual Development of the Dog and Cat. Theriogenology 68:338-343
Visootsak, J., and J. M. Graham. 2006. Klinefelter syndrome and other sex chromosomal aneuplodies. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 1:1-42
Image and Video References
VIdeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9vXhmI5FXM
Images
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biology.iupui.edu%2Fbiocourses%2FN100%2F2k2humancsomaldisorders.html&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=c4Y0Bw2jnZ7WvM&tbnh=185&tbnw=273&zoom=1&docid=DDY-edc1MnLWCM&hl=en&ei=YJWEUdL3G7H9iQKGj4C4Dg&ved=0CAIQsCUhttp://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biology.iupui.edu%2Fbiocourses%2FN100%2F2k2humancsomaldisorders.html&h=0&w=0&sz=1&tbnid=c4Y0Bw2jnZ7WvM&tbnh=185&tbnw=273&zoom=1&docid=DDY-edc1MnLWCM&hl=en&ei=YJWEUdL3G7H9iQKGj4C4Dg&ved=0CAIQsCU