Analysis of peripheral blood serotonin in domesticated silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as a major gene marker of domesticated behavior
Vasil'eva, L.L.; Svechnikov, K.V.
Genetika 29(3): 498-507
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-6758 PMID: 8486270 Document Number: 411134
A segregation analysis of inheritance of the blood serotonin level in a domesticated silver fox population was performed (104 foxes from 4 pedigrees). The results of the analysis point to the effect of a major-gene in the control of this quantitative trait (dominance coefficient of lower level is 0.79), and suggest that breeding for domestic behavior is accompanied by selection against heterozygosity with respect to this major-gene. The lower blood serotonin level revealed in more domesticated foxes (p < 0.02) may be a consequence of this.