Differential effects of the albino gene on behavior according to task, level of inbreeding, and genetic background.

Different generations from a Mendelian crossing schedule and two inbred recombinant albino strains were compared in a water-escape and a locomotor task under dim red-orange light. The results revealed deleterious effects of the albino gene. Although seriously altering cognitive-capacities, they did not affect locomotor tasks. The degree of expression of these effects was greater in the inbred albino mice than in the albinos from heterozygous generations. Differences in the genetic background may also affect the degree of expression of the albino gene effects in various albino strains. The visual system is unlikely to mediate the pleiotropic effects of the albino gene discussed in this report.