What is a hairless mouse called? - briefly
A hairless mouse is called a “nude mouse.” It is a laboratory strain lacking fur and a functional immune system.
What is a hairless mouse called? - in detail
The mouse lacking fur is commonly referred to as a “nude mouse.” The designation originates from the visible absence of hair and the associated thymic deficiency caused by a mutation in the Foxn1 gene. This strain is also described as an athymic or immunodeficient mouse because the same genetic alteration impairs T‑cell development.
Another widely used hair‑free model carries the recessive hairless (hr) mutation. Mice homozygous for the hr allele are called “hairless mice” or “hr/hr mice.” Unlike the nude variant, the hr mutation does not affect the immune system, making these animals suitable for studies that require a normal immune response.
A third category includes outbred strains such as SKH‑1 and its derivatives. These are often labeled “SKH‑1 hairless mice” and are prized for dermatological research because they possess a fully functional immune system and a thin, hair‑free epidermis.
Key characteristics of the principal hair‑free models:
- Nude (Foxn1‑nu/nu)
- No fur, absent thymus.
- Severe T‑cell deficiency.
- Primary use: xenograft tumor studies, transplantation immunology.
- Hairless (hr/hr)
- SKH‑1
Additional nomenclature appears in highly immunodeficient strains that combine hairlessness with severe combined immunodeficiency, such as NOD‑scid‑γ (NSG) mice. These are sometimes described as “hairless NSG” when the hairless allele is introduced to facilitate imaging or topical drug delivery.
In summary, the term “nude mouse” identifies the classic hair‑free, thymus‑deficient model; “hairless mouse” denotes the hr/hr genotype with normal immunity; and “SKH‑1 hairless mouse” refers to an outbred, immunocompetent variant. Each designation reflects distinct genetic origins and experimental applications.