GeneSTAR® Marbling 4 is an enhancement to the previous GeneSTAR® Marbling 3 test developped by GeneticSolutions Ltd for which Progenus is the exclusive accredited laboratory for Continal Europe. . Marbling 4 tests for the presence of four separate DNA markers that have a significant impact on marbling score. Results for each of the four DNA markers are reported as 0, 1 or 2 Stars, giving a combined Marbling result of 0 to 8 Stars. The four marbling DNA markers are independent and additive. This means that the result for each marker has individual value and the total, potential effect of the markers is gained by adding the four individual results together.

The new four marker test has been evaluated on more than 1000 long-fed cattle that have been slaughtered and have had their actual carcase marbling scores measured. It can note the incremental increase in Marbling score with the increase in Stars from the GeneSTAR® Marbling 4 test.