| First Author | Pratt BM | Year | 1983 |
| Journal | J Exp Zool | Volume | 225 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 329-35 |
| PubMed ID | 6403657 | Mgi Jnum | J:7019 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:55490 | Doi | 10.1002/jez.1402250217 |
| Citation | Pratt BM (1983) Effects of microphthalmic white (Miwh) on the number and function of cutaneous melanocytes. J Exp Zool 225(2):329-35 |
| abstractText | Microphthalmic white (Miwh), when heterozygous, causes dilution of black fur to a uniform gray color. Miwh/+ also reduces the coloration of ear and tail skin. The present study, a quantitative assessment of the effects of Miwh/+ on cutaneous melanocytes, demonstrates that the primary effect of Miwh/+ on cutaneous pigmentation is to reduce the number of epidermal melanocytes. There is also indirect evidence that Miwh/+ reduces the rate of melanosome production within follicular melanocytes. These actions of Miwh/+ cause both lightened coloration of ear and tail skin and the deposition of fewer numbers of smaller melanosomes within the hair. |
