Inherited seborrheic dermatitis--a new mutant in mice.

A new mutation, affecting skin and hair, occurred in an expansion colony of Him:OF1 mice. Test crosses showed that a single autosomal recessive gene was responsible for this trait. Homozygotes have sparse greasy fur and lower viability and fertility than normal littermates. Histological observations showed hypertrophy of sebaceous glands, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis and signs of inflammation. The disease was named 'inherited seborrheic dermatitis' and the gene name seb is proposed.