Hair Length Cat (all breeds)

Hair Length Cat

Hair length is an important morphological trait for many cat breeds. The hair length in cats is genetically determined by the presence or absence of specific alleles. One of the alleles known is the “L” locus. There are two main alleles at this locus: the longhair allele (L) and the shorthair allele (l). The presence of the longhair allele (L) will result in cats having longer and thicker fur, while the shorthair allele (l) will lead to cats having shorter and, usually, denser fur.

The mentioned mutations in the L-locus in cats can be linked to FGF5 mutations. The fibroblast growth factor 5 gene (FGF5) plays a role in regulating hair growth, and mutations in this gene can affect the length and texture of a cat’s fur. Certain mutations in the FGF5 gene can result in a loss-of-function, meaning that the gene does not function properly or is entirely inactive. This loss of function can lead to prolonged hair growth, resulting in longer fur or even a curly coat. There are five known FGF5 mutations in cats, which have been designated M1 through M5.

The L locus and FGF5 mutations are two separate genetic factors that contribute to hair length in cats. The L locus determines whether a cat will have long or short hair, while FGF5 mutations can further influence the actual hair growth and texture within those categories.

Inheritance

The inheritance of the hair length trait follows a simple Mendelian pattern, meaning that the mutations are all equally recessive, and a cat that has any two copies (two copies of the same mutation, or one copy each of two different mutations) will develop a long coat. However, it is important to note that the mutations mentioned above are just two factors involved in determining a cat’s fur length and potentially other characteristics. Other genes might influence the coat length as well as density, texture, or other characteristics. Together all factors results in variations and different coat types within long-haired or short-haired cats.

Relevant tests

• K408
• K460
• K461
• K462
• K463
• K466