Brokens – How Inheritance Works: En, en, and everything in between

Like most genes, the broken gene comes in pairs, with each parent contributing one copy to their offspring. There are two main versions, or alleles, of this gene that determine whether a rabbit will be solid or broken: * ‘En’ (Broken): This allele is dominant. This means that if a rabbit inherits at least one copy of the ‘En’ gene, it will display a broken pattern. * ‘en’ (Solid): This allele is recessive. For a rabbit to have a solid coat color without any white markings, it must inherit two copies of the ‘en’ allele.This leads to three possible genetic combinations, or genotypes, and their corresponding appearances, or phenotypes: * EnEn (Charlie): When a rabbit inherits two copies of the dominant ‘En’ gene, the result is often a “Charlie” rabbit. These rabbits typically have very little color, usually just a few spots on the ears, nose, and sometimes the base of the tail. The double dose of the broken gene leads to a significant reduction in pigment. * Enen (Broken): A rabbit with one copy of the ‘En’ gene and one copy of the ‘en’ gene will exhibit the classic “broken” pattern. They will have a base color with distinct white markings distributed across their body. This is the most common and desired genotype for show “broken” rabbits, as it typically presents a good balance of color and white. * enen (Solid): When a rabbit inherits two copies of the recessive ‘en’ gene, it will have a solid coat color with no white markings.The “Charlie” Factor: More Than Just Lightly ColoredThe “Charlie” rabbit (EnEn) is an interesting outcome of the broken gene’s inheritance. While they are genetically “broken,” their appearance is quite different from the more common broken pattern. The minimal color on a Charlie rabbit can sometimes make it difficult to identify the underlying base color.Breeders need to be mindful of the Charlie genotype. Mating two Charlie rabbits (EnEn x EnEn) will result in 100% Charlie offspring. While sometimes charming, this may not always be the desired outcome in breeding programs focused on specific broken patterns.Breeding for Broken Patterns: A Matter of ProbabilityUnderstanding the dominance and recessiveness of the ‘En’ and ‘en’ alleles allows breeders to predict the potential outcomes of their pairings: * Solid (enen) x Solid (enen): All offspring will inherit ‘en’ from both parents, resulting in 100% solid-colored rabbits (enen). * Solid (enen) x Broken (Enen): Each offspring has a 50% chance of inheriting ‘En’ and a 50% chance of inheriting ‘en’ from the broken parent. This pairing will result in approximately 50% broken (Enen) and 50% solid (enen) offspring. * Solid (enen) x Charlie (EnEn): All offspring will inherit ‘En’ from the Charlie parent and ‘en’ from the solid parent, resulting in 100% broken offspring (Enen). * Broken (Enen) x Broken (Enen): This pairing has the most varied outcome. Each offspring has a 25% chance of inheriting EnEn (Charlie), a 50% chance of inheriting Enen (Broken), and a 25% chance of inheriting enen (Solid). * Broken (Enen) x Charlie (EnEn): Offspring have a 50% chance of inheriting EnEn (Charlie) and a 50% chance of inheriting Enen (Broken). * Charlie (EnEn) x Charlie (EnEn): As mentioned earlier, all offspring will inherit EnEn, resulting in 100% Charlie rabbits.The Beauty of VariationThe broken gene adds a wonderful element of unpredictability and beauty to rabbit breeding. While the basic inheritance patterns are understood, the specific distribution and amount of color in broken rabbits can be influenced by other modifying genes, leading to unique and captivating patterns. From the striking contrasts of a harlequin to the delicate speckling of a butterfly pattern, the broken gene contributes significantly to the visual appeal and diversity of domestic rabbits.Understanding the broken gene is not just about predicting coat color; it’s about appreciating the intricate dance of genetics that shapes the remarkable variety we see in these delightful creatures.