# White coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo is attributed to the LINE1 insertion in ASIP

## TL;DR

Vietnamese native buffaloes with white coat color have a genetic mutation in the ASIP gene, which may help them cope better with heat stress.

## Contribution

The study identifies a LINE1 insertion in the ASIP gene as the cause of white coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo.

## Key findings

- LINE1 insertion in ASIP is found exclusively in white Vietnamese buffalo.
- ASIP expression is significantly higher in white buffalo hair follicles.
- No TYR gene variants are associated with the white coat color.

## Abstract

The coat color of the swamp buffalo is commonly dark gray, while the white coat color variant, which may have potential heat stress advantages, is also present in some Asian countries, including Vietnam. This study analyzed the most likely candidate genes, ASIP and TYR, responsible for the white coat color of Vietnamese native buffaloes. We found that LINE1 insertion in ASIP, a mutation previously reported in white swamp buffalo from other Asian countries, was exclusively found in white Vietnamese buffalo. Moreover, significantly higher expression of ASIP was confirmed in the hair follicles of white buffalo. On the other hand, no variants associated with the white phenotype were found in TYR. These findings indicate that the LINE1 insertion in ASIP is responsible for the white coat color in Vietnamese native buffalo, and that provides a crucial step towards their utilization and improved productivity in Vietnam.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11250-025-04309-7.