Studies of Normal Moult and Artificially Induced Regeneration of Pelage in Peromyscus

The document reports on a study involving approximately 40 Peromyscus mice, aged 2.5 to 7 weeks, which investigated both natural moulting patterns and the effects of artificially induced hair regeneration. The study found that the normal sequence of hair growth could be significantly altered by artificially inducing regeneration, with hair regrowth on the head occurring before the hips and hind limbs, contrary to the natural order. In adult mice, the pattern of hair replacement after clipping was irregular, but some normal moulting patterns persisted. Additionally, the study noted that adult mice could regenerate their pelage in any season if their hair was removed, with plucking resulting in faster regrowth than cutting. The study concludes that artificial regeneration can modify the normal sequence and direction of hair growth, and that the coloration differences between old and new pelage are minimal, with light playing a negligible role in these differences.