ABSTRACT

Atrichosis was shown to be an autosomal recessive mutation mapping to Chromosome 10. Homozygous mice have a sparse hair coat on their bodies, primarily on the trunk. The alopecia of atrichosis mice can be easily distinguished from heterozygotes and wild type mice by 8 to 10 days of age. The skin is mildly thickened in the spinous cell layer (acanthosis). Hair follicles is present. Scattered follicles are relatively normal and probably produced the abnormal zigzag hairs. Most follicles had heavily pigmented bulbs with numerous mitotic figures. No human disease has been compared to the cutaneous features of atrichosis. Congenital hypotrichosis universalis of beagle dogs is characterized by severe hypotrichosis with sparing of vibrissae. This canine disease is a heritable disorder. Detailed comparisons are needed to determine if there are analogous features other than at the gross level. The atrichosis gene is maintained in a balanced stock with eye blebs.