The albino locus produces abnormal responses to opiates in the mouse.

Pedigreed inbred lines of pigmented mice were compared with albino lines differing at either a single locus or by a chromosomal segment of interest, for their responses to morphine. In either of two tests, behavioral activation or reduction in core temperature, albino mice were aberrant in their responses, demonstrating reliably less sensitivity to morphine than closely related pigmented lines. These findings suggest the need for caution in the use of albino lines in opiate research.