The DAM XXXX : a model for spontaneous postnatal cutaneous and ocular amelanosis.

@entity1375 @entity2194 @entity1939 @entity1573 @entity735 @entity43483 @entity751
A mutant line of @entity1573 (DAM line) has been developed that is characterized by a high incidence of a spontaneous, postnatal, cutaneous amelanosis. Amelanotic individuals also have a high incidence of @entity1939 and a low incidence of an integumentary defect expressed as a variable loss of feathers. A low incidence of @entity1375 is also present but is not limited to the amelanotic phenotype. All line associated traits appear to be controlled by multiple autosomal genes. Selection experiments showed that the amelanosis and @entity735 are highly heritable and partially share a common genetic basis. However, it also was shown that the incidence of @entity1939 could be readily altered within the amelanotic population by selection. It is suggested that the @entity1939 represents the most severe expression of the @entity751 . The amelanosis equally affected both sexes and both @entity43483 and phaeomelanin pigments. A relationship was found between the presence of the back plumage color gene, E, and an increase incidence of feather amelanosis in segregating DAM line populations. This was not accompanied by an increase in @entity1939 . The DAM line appears to be a valuable animal model for vitiligo, as well as several melanin-related @entity2194 .
