Dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa in the serum of albino, black, and red guinea pigs.

Dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa levels in serum of albino, red, and black guinea-pigs were quantified. The levels of both amino acids were lower in the albino than in the pigmented animals. It is suggested that the serum levels of dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa in pigmented animals reflect tyrosine and dopa oxidation activity in the melanocytes.