Dysgenetic lens (dyl)--a new gene in the mouse.

A new autosomal recessive gene, dysgenetic lens (dyl), in the mouse is described. Homozygotes are fully viable and exhibit smaller eye, corneal opacity, adhesion of the iris, cataractous degeneration, and extrusion of the lens nucleus and persistent lens-epithelium attachment. Developmental failure of lens vesicle--ectoderm separation is recognized as the earliest expression of the genetic defect. Possible significance of this mutant in the understanding of Peter's anomaly is indicated.