α-MSH and coat color changes in the mouse

Abstract

The effect of α-MSH on coat color was examined in viable yellow mice (C3H/He-A∗ vy). These mice normally grow a coat of darkly pigmented hair at puberty. This darkening effect was also evident in hair that grew in a region that had been plucked at 13 days of age. Administration of α-MSH increased the darkness of this hair and the hair which grew naturally in an unplucked area. However, the natural coat darkening that occurred at puberty was not associated with an increase in plasma immunoreactive α-MSH levels. Moreover, although bromocryptine, a dopamine agonist that inhibits α-MSH release from the pituitary reduced the darkness of the coat that grew after plucking the reduction in coat darkening was unrelated to changes in plasma α-MSH. Nevertheless, this effect of bromocryptine was reversed when α-MSH was administered together with the drug. Apomorphine had no effect on coat darkening and produced only a slight decrease in plasma α-MSH. Melatonin reduced coat darkening slightly but, like apomorphine, had little effect on plasma α-MSH concentrations. Although α-MSH may have a physiological role in coat darkening in the C3H/He-A∗ vy mouse at puberty the response seems to be unrelated to an increase in circulating α-MSH. Thus, other factors, such as changes in melanocyte sensitivity to α-MSH or inhibitory mechanisms that prevent coat darkening during prepubertal and adult life may be involved in regulation of coat color in the viable yellow mouse.