Varieties of Hairless-Like Mutant Mice

The use of animal models as experimental tools is being utilized more frequently in all areas of investigation including dermatologic research. When the animal model is represented by a genetic mutation, care must be exercised so as not to confuse mutant animals that look alike but are genetically and morphologically unrelated. The results of the present study show that the commercially available Charles River “hairless” (cr-hairless) is not linked to the standard genetic mouse mutation known as hairless (hr). The cr-hairless is probably a new mutation in the mouse. The integument of these mutant mice has characteristics which suggest potential usefulness as an experimental tool in dermatologic research