Overo - coat pattern

DNA test The DNA test verifies the presence of the mutation associated to the Overo. Frame Overo is a highly desirable...

€43.05 Incl. VAT

About

This DNA test detects the Frame Overo (O) mutation in the EDNRB gene, responsible for the Frame Overo white coat pattern and associated with Lethal White Foal Syndrome (LWFS).

The test helps identify horses carrying the Overo mutation to support informed breeding decisions and prevent affected foals.

Why test?

Testing is recommended to:

Identify horses carrying the Frame Overo mutation.
Support responsible breeding decisions.
Prevent matings that may produce foals affected by Lethal White Foal Syndrome (LWFS).
Confirm the genetic status of horses with or without the characteristic Overo coat pattern.

Results

The DNA test verifies the presence of the mutation associated to the Overo and presents results as one of the following:

N/ - Non-Overo horse.
O/N - Frame Overo horse. Horse is heterozygous for the dominant gene causative of frame Overo. A characteristic Overo coat pattern is present in O/N all horses with a copy of frame Overo and will pass this allele to 50% of offspring. Matting two Frame Overo horses has a 50% chance togenerate Lethal White foals and should be avoided.
O/ – A Lethal White Foal Syndrome (LWFS). Homozygous for frame Overo are lethal and newborns survive less than a week old.

Sample

30 to 40 - hair roots - envelope or 5 mL - blood - K3 EDTA tube

Send your sample by regular mail or express delivery to:

Equigerminal Lab HIESE
Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro Nº25
3230-343 Penela, Portugal

Turnaround

2 to 5 working days

How it works

🛒 Purchase the test: select and buy the test online.

📧 Receive instructions: after payment confirmation you receive sample collection instructions by e-mail.

✨ Collect the sample yourself: pull 20 to 40 hair roots with the bulb attached, or ask your veterinarian to collect blood in a K3-EDTA tube.

📄 Complete the form: print and complete the submission form with the animal identification.

📮 Send it to the laboratory: Equigerminal, S.A., HIESE, Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro, 25, Quinta Vale do Espinhal, 3230-343 Penela, PORTUGAL.

📄 Receive your report: your certified report is issued as soon as the analysis is validated.

FAQs

Who can collect the sample? You can. Pull 20 to 40 hair roots with the bulb attached. If you prefer, your veterinarian can collect blood in a K3-EDTA tube.

Does the result change with age? No. A DNA result is for life and does not need to be repeated.

What happens if the sample fails? Samples that fail DNA extraction or amplification are repeated at no extra cost. We contact you if a new sample is required.

Can I order more than one DNA test on the same sample? Yes. One sample can be used for several DNA tests ordered together.

How long does it take? See Turnaround. The count starts when the sample arrives at the laboratory, not when you order.

More

Frame Overo is a dominant white spotting pattern caused by a mutation in the EDNRB gene.

Horses carrying one copy of the mutation (O/N) typically display the characteristic Frame Overo coat pattern and are healthy. However, breeding two Frame Overo horses together creates a risk of producing foals with Lethal White Foal Syndrome (LWFS).

Foals inheriting two copies of the mutation (O/O) are born almost completely white and suffer from severe intestinal abnormalities caused by the absence of normal nerve development in the digestive tract. Affected foals are unable to survive.

Genetic testing allows breeders to avoid high-risk matings while preserving the desirable Frame Overo coat pattern.