WLHR/Le is a balanced stock with wabbler-lethal (wl) and hairless (hr) spontaneous mutations maintained in repulsion on Chromosome 14. Homozygous wabbler-lethal mutant mice are first recognizable at 12 days of age and usually die at about four weeks. They have an abnormal wobbly gait and a pronounced tremor when walking. In an extensive study of behavioral development of this mutant, homozygous wabbler-lethal mice were shown to be deficient in nearly all behaviors tested. Histological examination showed myelin degeneration widely distributed throughout the CNS, particularly in the vestibulocerebellar and spinocerebellar systems. Electron microscopy showed widespread axonal (Wallerian) degeneration in the medulla with secondary myelin dissolution. Similar abnormalities were present to a lesser extent in the basal ganglia, spinal cord, and cerebellum and in the optic nerve. Homozygous hairless mutant mice have a higher incidence and earlier onset of leukemia, reducible by virus-specific antibody. A deficiency of splenic T helper cells (Ly1+) may account for low cellular immune response of homozygous mutant mice. The coat is normal on hairless mice up to 10 days but then hair is lost from the follicle. Waves of hair growth with few thin fuzzy hairs occur at monthly intervals for some time but homozygotes eventually become continuously hairless. Vibrissae are repeatedly regrown and shed, becoming more abnormal with age. Toenails are long and curved. There is hyperkeratosis of stratified epithelium and the upper part of hair canals beginning at 14 days. Hair club formation is abnormal. Cysts form from the hyperkeratotic upper part of hair canals and sheaths of abnormal follicles stranded in dermis. Some cysts also form from sebaceous glands. All cysts undergo sebaceous transformation and later keratinization.

This inbred mutant strain carries the wabbler-lethal (Atp8a2wl) and hairless (Hrhr) spontaneous mutations that are maintained in repulsion.

Typically mice are recovered in 12-16 weeks. Contact Customer Service to place an order or for more information.

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