Influence of the lethal yellow (Ay) gene on estrous synchrony in mice.

Introduction of an adult male induces partially synchronous estrus in female laboratory mice that have been caged in groups. In the inbred YS/ChWf strain, this effect was observed only when the male was nonyellow (aa), while males heterozygous for the lethal yellow allele (A(y)a) failed to induce synchrony.

BODY COMPOSITION AND COAT COLOR CORRELATION IN DIFFERENT PHENOTYPES OF "VIABLE YELLOW" MICE.

The "viable yellow" (A(vy)-) mouse genotype produces phenotypes with "clear yellow," "black spotted," and "agouti" coat color. "Agouti" A(vy)a mice gain weight at a lower rate and contain significantly less fat and water than "clear" and "spotted" A(vy)- mice but have similar nonfat dry weights. Between 4 and 28 weeks of age, the length of the tail increases at the same rate in all phenotypes.