SEM analysis of body hairs and whiskers of heterozygous tortoiseshell (Moto/+) female mice (Mus musculus).

Back hairs of +/+ and Moto/+ female Mus musculus generally exhibited identical form when examined by SEM. However, the hair shafts of Moto/+ female mice were beaded in appearance (monilethrix), twisted (pili torti) or exhibited a rough nodular appearance. Also, some hairs of Moto/+ female mice which were devoid of pigment appeared enlarged and bitubular. The whiskers of +/+ and Moto/+ female mice were identical in form. The hair abnormalities of Moto/+ female mice resulted from a copper deficiency and were similar to those hair anomalies observed in other mottled mice and in copper-deficient crinkled mice.