The Effect of Hairless Mutant Gene on The Thymus and Skin Under The C_(57)BL/6 Genetic Background

The study investigated the impact of the hairless mutant gene on the thymus and skin of C 57BL/6 hairless mice. It was found that these mice developed a normal coat until 12 days old, after which they lost all hair and remained essentially hairless, except for some vibrissae. As they aged, their skin developed folds and a rhinoceros-like appearance, with elongated claws and heavily pigmented skin featuring small papules. Histological analysis revealed a keratotic cuticular layer in the epidermis, distended hair follicles with keratin fragments, and well-developed sebaceous glands. Although there was no significant difference in thymus morphology at 19 days, the thymus in hairless mice atrophied earlier than in normal mice. The study concluded that the hairless mutant gene affected the hair follicle cycle and thymus degeneration in these mice.